Football Queensland have officially released their vision for a dedicated stadium in Brisbane to be built at the sport’s spiritual home in Bowen Hills, according to Brisbane Times’ Cameron Atfield.
According to FQ’s plans, Perry Park would get its long awaited upgrade becoming a top rectangular stadium with the developments helping increase the capacity between 15,000 and 20,000.
Funding has not yet been secured and the estimated cost of the project will be “up to $200 million.”
The stadium plans to host teams from all levels such as the Brisbane Roar’s men’s and women’s teams, as well as community clubs in preparation for Queensland’s inevitable involvement in the National Second Tier. FQ suggested it can be multi-use so lower-drawing professional teams like cricket’s Brisbane Strikers and rugby’s Queensland Reds can use the facility.
On ‘The Subs Bench’ podcast months ago, Cavallucci spoke in length about the importance of using the historic Perry Park as their next big infrastructure project to enhance the ‘Home of Brisbane football.’
He stated that this upgrade was necessary for the sport to advance in the state and shed light on how it would affect all tiers of the football pyramid.
Cavallucci explained the importance of this stadium’s upgrade for the potential National Second Tier and expansion teams, with a second Brisbane professional team helping football boom in the state.
The plan to upgrade this stadium, whilst centred around football, also benefits the city and its other sports.
Perry Park’s location in the inner city makes it easy to commute to with the train station nearby as well as it being on major road infrastructure. It has all the suitable elements of a top stadium and intertwines with Brisbane’s sporting spine (Suncorp and Gabba).
Cavallucci also mentioned that a potential second Brisbane A-League team, in the event of an expansion past Auckland and Canberra, is only possible with the appropriate infrastructure and that this stadium upgrade will “mobilise a broader fanbase.”
In the wake of the Olympics in 2032, the government will be considering investing in upgrading their current facilities to accommodate the games, but more focus is on FQ’s rampant push to proactively prepare for the NST and a potential A-League expansion.
This news is really exciting for the state and will be vital for their involvement in the future of Australian football, with the city of Brisbane in particular dying for an elite football home.
