Lions’ ‘The Reserve’ Will Proceed As Planned

Funding for the Brisbane Lions’ training and support centre project, The Reserve Community Arena, has been deeded by government partners into a special project account, separating it from the club’s football operations.

This funding support means the project will proceed as planned and will ensure the creation of hundreds of new construction jobs as the project nears the final stages of negotiating a building contract.

Lions GM of infrastructure, strategy and government relations, Jake Anson, said the club is excited to see the project get support during the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic, as the club faces uncertain financial times.

“The project had been almost a decade in planning and the club is excited to see it proceed during these difficult times,” Anson said.

“It’s really positive news for the club, the local community and so many project stakeholders that the development will continue during the COVID-19 crisis.

“We are working with our provisional builders to establish workplace procedures and our project program that factor in COVID-19.

“The Reserve project will provide several hundred construction jobs immediately, and upon completion it will significantly improve our club’s finances by reducing overheads and diversifying revenues.

“Moreover, it will give our players an elite high-performance training environment that is vastly superior to that they’ve had access to at The Gabba,” he said.

In the coming week, a $6.5 million preliminary earthworks package is set to be completed, which has involved the rerouting of Mountain Creek to accommodate The Reserve, the creation of building pads and spectator mounds and the shaping of the oval sub-base.

Within the last week of the earthworks package, they have planted the first grass and trees to re-establish riparian vegetation along the creek in Springfield.

With the AFL 2020 Premiership season still suspended over fears of the Coronavirus, the Lions receiving a boost of government partner support for this project will undoubtedly help to secure their financial sustainability to come out of the crisis in a strong position.