Rebuilt Ballymore back in business as home of Wallaroos
Murray Wenzel |
The beating heart of Queensland rugby union is officially back in business.
Ballymore’s $31.5 million rebuild, featuring a new McLean Stand, high performance, administration and corporate facilities was opened on Thursday.
It will be the new home of women’s rugby as the Wallaroos’ training base, while also housing the Queensland Reds’ Super Rugby, Super W, Academy and 7s programs.
The famous Brisbane venue will also host A-League Women’s games next season and A-League Men training.
With further development of the precinct in the pipeline, Ballymore has been touted as the venue for hockey at the Brisbane 2032 Olympics.
Initial plans to upgrade the former Wallabies Test venue were scuppered in 2007 by a change of government, with the decaying stadium a black hole on the Queensland Rugby Union balance sheet ever since.
But investment talks ramped up again in 2019 with the rise of women’s rugby union providing the second wind required to get the project over the line.
“To bring Ballymore back to life again is a historic moment,” QRU boss David Hanham said.
“It’s been missing in the Queensland sporting community.”
The facility features separate men’s and women’s dressing rooms, a 77-seat auditorium, an 800 square-metre gym, women’s rugby imagery on the walls and all of the other bells and whistles of a state-of-the-art training facility.
Recently retired Wallaroos great and Olympic rugby sevens gold medallist Shannon Parry was chuffed after walking the corridors on Thursday.
“It’s amazing that’s it’s been able to come together,” said Parry, who is now a coach.
“To have a place to call home is special and unique.”
Described at a recent Queensland rugby function as the John Eales’ equivalent to women’s rugby union, Parry was forced to talk down the prospect of her own statue being erected at the venue.
But it’s a very real possibility after the idea earned the endorsement of Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk after the ribbon was cut.
AAP
