‘Best place in Australia’; Lions CEO gives tick of approval for Mac Point stadium

The Lions chief knows a thing or two about winning over the community for a successful High Performance Centre. Here’s what he had to say on that and a new Hobart AFL stadium.

Brisbane Lions CEO Greg Swann and Tasmania Football Club chairman Grant O’Brien in Hobart on Friday.

Brisbane Lions CEO Greg Swann says regardless of the AFL’s Tasmanian High Performance Centre, community engagement in the centre will ensure the success of the development and the Tasmanian AFL team.

Mr Swann was in Hobart for talks on the 2022 opening of the Brisbane Lions’ $80m training and administration facility in Springfield, Queensland, 40 minutes southwest of Brisbane.

The former Collingwood and Carlton CEO said that local communities were particularly engaged with the centre after its opening.

“We have had 330,000 people come through, and on average about 6000 people to come and watch, VFL is about the same,” he said.

“We’ve got our own gym internally then we’ve got one that we open to the public which has 3000 members there.

“We’ve really immersed ourselves in the community … we think that’s been a real benefit for us.”

Brisbane Lions CEO Greg Swann speaking to media in Hobart on Friday.

The Springfield centre is also home to TAFE programs, farmers’ markets, and multicultural program, events Mr Swann thinks will translate well to the Tasmanian community.

As to the location, Mr Swann said Kingston or Rosny are on a level-playing field, both being close to the city.

“If you’re close to that [the city] and you live close to that, that just makes it all easier,” he said.

“But I’ve looked at both venues and neither was very far from city or the stadium so I think whichever one you choose, you’re in a good spot.”

Following the release of new design renders for the Macquarie Point Stadium, Mr Swann believes its development could “transform” the city.

“We’re lucky enough to go and play in Adelaide and Perth and they’re probably two shining examples,” he said.

The Brisbane Lions' Springfield training and administration facility.

“Those new stadiums have transformed the city, when you go there and you just feel it.

“There’s a lot of people coming into the city, new bars and places that pop up.

“I think it gets a little bit undersold as to the impacts a stadium has and where your [Macquarie Point] stadium is, it’s probably the best place in Australia when you look where it’s going to be.”

Tasmania Football Club chairman Grant O’Brien said the talks had renewed the board’s focus on the High Performance Centre as a tool for “Player attraction and retention” as well as a community asset as it continues to move towards a team launch date in 2028.

“I think there’s great support for the T&A facility,” he said.

“The T&A Centre is a substantial development and having a range of opinions is good and makes sure that what the result is good for the community, so we’re working with community, we’re working with the councils to make sure that what we land is seen by the community as an asset for where they live.”

Originally published as ‘Best place in Australia’; Lions CEO gives tick of approval for Mac Point stadium