$1.5m sport kick off

A-GRADE GRANT: Wayne Sessarago, Brendan Lawler, Mayor Paul Pisasale, Cr Heather Morrow and MP Wayne Wendt announce $1.5 million in funding for improvements to Tivoli sports ground.

Queensland Times/Sarah Harvey

AN abandoned water treatment plant in Tivoli will be recycled into the new home of school sport after a $1.5 million State Government grant.

The old filtration systems and pump house of the Tivoli Wastewater facility, on Mount Crosby Road, will be replaced with a grass athletic track and multipurpose fields for AFL, cricket, soccer and rugby.

Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale said the smelly site used to be a burden but was now prime real estate and the transformation would provide a first-class facility for schools across the region.

“This will cater for that whole giant growth area from Karalee to Karana Downs,” Cr Pisasale said.

“What was once a liability for this city will now be a major sporting facility.

“We have come up smelling of roses.”

The Major Facility Program funds were won after Ipswich City Council submitted an application in partnership with Ipswich's St Edmund's College.

St Edmund's College Foundation executive officer Wayne Sessarago said the school was growing at a rapid rate and the facilities would give the students a place they could finally call their own.

“At the moment we beg, borrow and steal fields from clubs and other schools,” Mr Sessarago said.

“Having these facilities will enable us to hold all our Saturday sports in one spot.”

Member for Ipswich West Wayne Wendt said it was a great idea and was one of only thirty projects to win a grant.

“This is the biggest cheque I have given away in three years,” Mr Wendt said. “The council put in an outstanding application that was well supported by St Edmunds.”

Construction will start in coming months.