source : the age
A pre-feasibility report into a privately funded stadium for baseball and softball will go before Logan City Council this week, continuing Mayor Jon Raven’s push for the diamond sports to be held in the city during the Brisbane 2032 Olympics.
The report, prepared by Torch Advisory Group with architecture firm Populous and quantity surveying and cost management consultancy Quantiv, found the $156 million ballpark was a “once-in-a-generation opportunity for Logan to deliver Australia’s premier diamond sports facility”.
“Queensland currently lacks a purpose-built, integrated elite diamond sports facility capable of supporting professional competition, high-performance training and international visitation in one location,” the report says.
But the document, which will be presented to the council on Wednesday, warns that the exclusion of baseball and softball from Brisbane 2032 would reduce investor appetite.
Indeed, an accompanying investment memorandum that will also be presented to the council on Wednesday says the Games are a “significant catalyst” for the project, which would be built on land supplied by Griffith University at its Logan campus in Meadowbrook.
Raven, who last year toured Asia seeking investors for the ballpark, said the report’s findings were “another step closer to making the stadium a reality”.
“I’ve already heard great things from baseball codes, teams and investors in Taiwan and Japan,” he said.
“Logan has the location, the transport links, and the growth. The question now is whether we can bring the right partners together to make it happen.
“If baseball and softball are included in the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games program, I’ll be making sure Logan is part of that conversation.”
A 4000-seat ballpark was proposed, with capacity to temporarily expand that to 10,000 seats through overlay for larger-drawing events, such as the 2032 Games.
It would have a retractable mound for baseball and softball compatibility, a 400-person function room, a “party deck” with a feature bar and viewing, and six corporate suites, each with capacity for 20 people, along with an adjacent secondary diamond.
Olympic spectators would arrive via Loganlea station and bus shuttle, with a drop-off about 750 metres from the stadium.
The report notes the Brisbane Bandits Australian Baseball League side has indicated a “strong willingness” to relocate to Logan, should the ballpark be built, to act as an anchor tenant.
“Demand analysis confirms the facility can sustain year-round activation beyond traditional diamond sport fixtures,” the Torch Advisory Group report says.
“Key revenue drivers include international spring training camps from Japan, Korea and Taiwan, professional ABL competition, and high-performance diamond sport pathway programs.
“Complementary opportunities, including short-stay accommodation, sports medicine, food and beverage and conferences offer the opportunity to unlock additional private investment and diversify the revenue base.”
Raven said the ballpark was about more than the Olympics.
“Our focus is on the long-term benefits a project like this could bring to our city through sport, tourism, events and economic development,” he said.
“We want a legacy that delivers for Logan for decades to come.”
While Raven sought private investment for the stadium, the report noted there was also a case for a blended funding model, including federal and state co-funding.
