Council unveils new world class facilities

The Moreton Bay Region is set to receive a new BMX racetrack and a Football Centre for Excellence at Brendale after Council approved $23.6 million for the projects.

As part of the projects, $22 million has been allocated to the Football Centre of Excellence, while the remaining $1.6 million will be used for the construction of the BMX track.

Mayor Peter Flannery says it is important to have world class facilities for residents to enjoy.

“We are the third largest council in Australia and one of the fastest growing, so there’s no reason why we can’t be a sporting powerhouse,” he says.

“I also want to ensure Moreton Bay residents have the best lifestyle in the country by providing as many options as possible for sports and recreation and protecting our amazing way of life.”

Going for gold

Mayor Flannery says these projects will kickstart Council’s 10-year journey toward the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and hopefully inspire future Aussie athletes.

“Logan from Logan won Olympic gold in the inaugural BMX freestyle competition at the Tokyo Games after he built a skate park in his own backyard,” he says.

“Now Moreton Bay is building an international competition standard BMX racetrack at Nolan Park that will hopefully produce Australia’s first gold medallist in that discipline.

“And soon we could see the next Sam Kerr or Tim Cahill coming from Moreton Bay Region’s very own football factory at South Pine Sports Complex.

“It’s important that our youth have the best facilities in the country that will allow them to dare to dream of representing Australia one day.”

Attracting elite athletes

While the Brisbane Roar will use the new Football Centre for Excellence, it has also started to attract international clubs who are also interested in using the facility.

“The new $22 million Football Centre of Excellence will become the new home of the Brisbane Roar’s junior academy and women’s team, just in time for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup which will be co-hosted by Australia,” Mayor Flannery says.

“This facility will be so good that we’ve already received significant interest from FIFA to host an international team before it’s even been built!”

Project completion dates

Construction will start on the $22 million Football Centre of Excellence at South Pine Sports Complex in January 2022 and be complete in time for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in late July 2023.

The BMX clubhouse is nearing completion while construction of the BMX track will be finished by February 2022, weather permitting. Once completed, the Nolan Park BMX project will represent an investment of $5.4 million.

Mayor Flannery says these projects were able to come to fruition with assistance from both the State and Federal Government.

“The BMX racetrack and clubhouse project has been made possible thanks to $1.5 million COVID stimulus from the State Government, while the Federal Government has contributed $500,000 to the South Pine Sports Complex upgrades,” he says.

“I’d like to thank both levels of government for their help to make these projects a reality so the community can thrive as we prepare for 2032.”