Toowoomba sporting infrastructure expert Jason Leslie backs upgrade of Clive Berghofer Stadium to 25,000 ahead of Olympics

Where should Toowoomba build a new stadium? One leading sporting infrastructure expert has said not to count out upgrading the existing venue in East Toowoomba.

Sporting infrastructure planner Jason Leslie thinks money should be spent on upgrading the Clive Berghofer Stadium. Picture: Nev Madsen.

One of the biggest challenges facing Toowoomba’s bid to host an Olympic sport during the 2032 Games is finding a site where a new sports stadium should be built.

While the general consensus among many community leaders is that a new stadium and convention centre should be built on the site of the current hospital, one leading sporting infrastructure expert has said not to count out upgrading the existing Clive Berghofer Stadium.

Otium Planning Group’s Jason Leslie, who has worked with local and state governments across Australia and New Zealand to develop elite and community sports facilities, says the East Toowoomba stadium should be upgraded to meet the city’s growth over the next 50 years.

His suggestion supports the State Government’s initial position to upgrade Clive Berghofer Stadium, also known as the Toowoomba Sports Ground, to host up to 20,000 people for preliminary soccer matches at the Olympics in 2032.

Prominent businessman John Wagner rubbished the plan at The Chronicle’s Future Toowoomba luncheon on December 3, due to the lack of parking at the site and its proximity to existing housing.

John Wagner of Wagner Corporation at the Future Toowoomba lunch at Wellcamp Airport. Picture: Kevin Farmer

But Mr Leslie, who was at the luncheon, said a premier stadium needed to be in the heart of Toowoomba, pointing to Suncorp Stadium as the ideal model.

“The best functioning rectangular stadium in Australia is Suncorp, because of its central location and proximity to the CBD,” he said.

“Everyone who goes there is using alternative transport, and they have heavy residential development around it — like Clive Berghofer.

“When you head to an event you’re walking past CBD businesses and cafes — the events are no longer what happens on those four walls.

“I don’t think the stadium out at Wellcamp Airport is the best option.”

Mr Leslie said if work started soon on the upgrade, the stadium would be ready in time to host matches at the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

In my view, it’s a chance to create a 20,000 to 25,000 seat stadium that allows Toowoomba in the long-term to continue down that vision of a national anchor tenant, whether that’s NRL, football or rugby union,” he said.