Sporting groups to benefit from $3.66 million Kearneys Spring clubhouse facilities upgrade

Toowoomba sporting organisations, their participants, visiting competitors and residents are the major beneficiaries of the $3.66 million Kearneys Spring Recreation Park Clubhouse Upgrade project that was officially opened today (Saturday, March 1, 2025).

Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) has constructed a new clubhouse amenities block that will service thousands of sportspeople of all ages throughout the year and for many future sports seasons.

Toowoomba Region Mayor Cr Geoff McDonald, TRC Parks and Recreation Services portfolio spokesperson Cr Tim McMahon and fellow Councillors today officially opened the new facility.

The Federal Member for Groom, Garth Hamilton, TRC project executives and teams, contractors and various sporting organisation representatives also attended the opening.

Mayor McDonald said the $3.66 million project was jointly funded under the South East Queensland Liveability Fund through the Queensland Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning ($2.56 million) and Council ($1.1 million). The SEQ Liveability Fund is part of the $1.8 billion SEQ City Deal, a partnership between the Australian and Queensland governments and Council of Mayors (South East Queensland) to generate long-lasting benefits for the wider region.

Mayor McDonald said Council was grateful for the Queensland Government’s financial contribution to the upgrade project that will greatly improve facilities for regular sports fixtures and wider representative competitions.

“Council is responsible for a vast asset base across our 13,000km² Region and appreciates this contribution that ensures we keep upgrading facilities that will be widely used and appreciated by our community, especially sporting organisations,” Mayor McDonald said.

Cr McMahon said the project had delivered a new clubhouse and amenities building that included a canteen, first aid room, toilets (including facilities for people with a disability), player and unisex changerooms with moveable walls to cater for different configurations, a multi-purpose room and storage areas.

“The upgraded facilities will enhance the Kearneys Spring user groups’ efforts to promote the growth of their codes, whether it is touch, softball, school sport or wider representative competitions,” Cr McMahon said.

“Apart from reducing ongoing maintenance costs, the new facility also includes energy efficient materials and fittings, such as LED lights and perforated screening.

“The project also included the construction of more than 500m of shared pathways for recreation and access with designs completed for future pathways and landscaping, including trees that will be planted to provide shade and screening.

“Council is pleased to improve facilities that will encourage people of all ages to join social and competitive sporting fixtures and enjoy more healthy lifestyle options.”

Cr McMahon paid tribute to Council staff and contractors, with most of the project delivered by Toowoomba Region contractors including, Northbuild Construction, Struxi Design and Aspect Architecture.

Cr McMahon also thanked the sporting organisations for their patience and cooperation when using temporary facilities during the construction.

The Queensland Treasurer and Member for Toowoomba South David Janetzki was a late apology.

Captions: Kearneys Spring sporting club representatives (from left) Flynn Edards and Harry Prouten (both Warriors), Toowoomba Softball secretary Deb Prouten, Toowoomba Region Mayor Cr Geoff McDonald, Toowoomba Softball president Jayke Reynolds, TRC Parks and Recreation Services portfolio spokesperson Cr Tim McMahon, Allstars’ Corey Fogarty and Toowoomba Touch president Chris Hillman at the opening of the new clubhouse facility. (Top)

Cr Trevor Manteufel (left), Cr Carol Taylor, Deputy Mayor Cr Rebecca Vonhoff, Mayor Cr Geoff McDonald, Cr Tim McMahon and Cr Edwina Farquhar officially open the new Kearneys Spring Recreation Park clubhouse facility. (Right)

Warriors Softball club members Kirsty Prouten (left), Tracy Jones, Bee King (third and fourth from left) and Toowoomba Softball secretary Deb Prouten (second from left) serving Toowoomba Regional Council Project manager Kenny Mostyn at the new Kearneys Spring clubhouse canteen.

Toowoomba Region Mayor Cr Geoff McDonald (left) with Toowoomba contractor representatives: project superintendent Aspect’s Kerry Martin, Struxi Design director Owen Kleidon, Northbuild regional manager Andrew Civil, TRC Project manager Kenny Mostyn and Northbuild’s project site manager Greg Dallinger marking the official opening of the $3.66 million facility. (Bottom)