Brisbane Broncos' $27 million training facility approved

[shamus]

Ba$tards!!

http://www.smh.com.au/queensland/bri...0150316-1m0qee

The Brisbane Broncos have received the green light for a new training facility near their traditional home at Red Hill.

Brisbane City Council has approved a large training, administration and communication facility at the former Ithaca TAFE campus, including a full-sized training field open to the community.

Broncos chief executive Paul White said the approval was a major milestone in the club delivering a "once-in-a-generation project".

"Council has recognised that this project will not only help ensure the Broncos remain an elite national sporting organisation, but also will assist the club to grow as a positive contributor to communities across Brisbane and the state generally," he said in a statement.

"We now look forward to working with the state government as we continue to further this process."

The $27 million facility, located on the south of the site, would also include a three-storey building and 130 car parking spaces.

It's located across the road from the Broncos' current home of 17 years.

Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said the facility would be a boon for the Broncos and the wider community.

"This project demonstrates a significant investment in Brisbane from one of our city's best sporting clubs as they strive to ensure the Broncos remain one of the leading clubs in the NRL," he said.

"Red Hill has been home to the Broncos since the team first played back in 1988 and the club has always had a strong connection with the local community and this project ensures they remain at their spiritual home."

The football field would be open to the public when not in use by the Broncos and provide a key greenspace for the inner city location, Cr Quirk said.

An entry lobby, retail store and cafe would dominate the ground floor with staff offices, player meeting areas and an education centre open to primary schools and community groups on the second.

The third floor would be taken up by Broncos administration offices.

The building would also feature a large, "high-spec" lecture theatre open to the community as well as training facilities including a gym, sports medicine and rehabilitation areas.

Plans for the new site were announced in August 2013, during the federal election campaign.

The Broncos lodged an application with BCC in December 2014 and community consultation took place in February.

According to a project timeline posted on the Brisbane Broncos website in June, construction is due to start in early 2015 and finish in early 2016.

[TITAN PETE]

They could've bought one in Robina pretty cheap

[kioli]

I propose we copy their plans but make everything one metre bigger.

[DIEHARD]

This is such a waste of money. And both major parties were guilty of offering the Broncos ridiculous pledges of support for a training centre.

[DIEHARD]

27million for one of Australia's most successful and profitable sporting franchises. Owned by one of the world's largest media conglomerates.

Where is the public access? Where is the public benefit?

They could have at least given it to the QRL and made it something more people could use and include a sporting museum and learning centres etc.