Toowoomba upgrade best on field for local sport

Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) has today officially opened the $2.96 million Rockville Park clubhouse upgrade project, funded with support from the Australian Government’s Building Better Regions Fund.

The new amenities were used for the first time today when Coolaroo AFC took on Toowoomba AFC in a local AFL game.

TRC Environment and Community Portfolio Lead, Councillor Tim McMahon said the project had replaced the ageing clubhouse amenities and will give sporting groups, schools, residents and other users access to a facility with greater capacity.

“With this work now complete, there are additional people with disabilities (PWD) compliant toilets, ambulant compliant toilets, unisex toilets, unisex showers, player and umpire change rooms, a first aid room, a meeting room, a kitchen and servery and seating areas provided at the club house,” he said.

“I am pleased that local Toowoomba contractor Bryant Building Contractors Pty Ltd carried out this work on behalf of Council, a win-win in providing sporting clubs new facilities while keeping our spend local.” 

Federal Member for Groom, Garth Hamilton MP said the new facility was a great win for the community.

“It is fantastic to see this project complete, with the support of $2 million in funding through the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program (LRCI).”

“I am a proud advocate of the funding secured through LRCI, which was designed to empower local government to deliver for community on local priorities. 

“Building facilities such as the upgrades at Rockville Park is a fine example of that approach, with the partnership between local and federal government delivering better assets and outcomes for local people in the region,” he said.

Head of AFL Queensland, Trisha Squires said she was thrilled with the upgraded changerooms.

“Australian Rules is very much alive and well on the Downs and with more people than ever involved in our great game across the state it’s important our facilities keep up with growing demand,” Ms Squires said.

“More than half of AFL Queensland’s facilities are now female friendly which is fantastic but there is still more work to do. We want all our clubs to be inclusive for all from our players to our coaches, to our fantastic volunteers and umpires. 

“It’s great to see hundreds of people will benefit from these new and improved changerooms.”

The upgrade will allow sporting groups to host significant local sporting events and improve existing capacity to the clubhouse amenities.

There have also been improvements to landscaping around the boundary of the oval to improve the overall amenity for its users.

The Rockville Park clubhouse amenities refurbishment project was jointly funded by the Australian Government, Toowoomba Regional Council and the Australian Cricket Infrastructure Fund. Australian Government funding of $2 million was provided through the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Program. This program supports local councils to deliver priority local road and community infrastructure projects across Australia. A further $50,000 was provided by the Australian Cricket Facilities Fund.