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University of Queensland athletes and club members now have access to $4.2 million worth of new sporting and function space amenities at Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­’s St Lucia campus.

, situated on Sir William MacGregor Drive, is a multi-sport facility co-funded by the University and .

Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­’s Australian Football (AFL and Football (Soccer) Clubs will be the primary users of the new amenities, while the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ Cricket Club will stage selected matches at the venue.

Minister for Sport and Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Tim Dunne opened the venue, providing greater opportunities for the wider Brisbane community to be more active.

“Building 53C is a first-class multi-use sporting facility which will make a huge difference to hundreds of passionate sportsmen and women every week,” Minister de Brenni said.

“We are proud to have supported this project with a $1.2 million funding commitment through the Queensland Government’s program.

“This funding is in addition to more than $70,000 that has been allocated to 11 Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ sporting clubs since 2015 under our initiative, allowing clubs to purchase equipment and deliver education and training programs.”

The facility features 12 changing rooms, 10 storage spaces, and three rooms for physiotherapy and first aid treatment.

It also includes bench seating for spectators, as well as six gender-neutral toilets, and one People with Disability (PWD) toilet.

The venue also includes a function space, known as , which boasts a dual-function servery and outdoor terrace areas.

It is equipped with audio-visual equipment and can stage sit-down, cocktail or lecture-style events for up to 100 guests.

Professor Tim Dunne said the new facility was part of upgrades being made to Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­’s riverfront Recreational Precinct.

“Updating and establishing sporting facilities at Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ is a continual exercise, but also very rewarding for the happiness we witness it bring to the local and student community,” Professor Dunne said.

“Building 53C is the latest Recreational Precinct project to be completed, and follows the extension of our beach volleyball courts, and the installation of new outdoor basketball and netball courts.”

The space will also be utilised for for its College, Social and Kids Sport programs.

Media: Jamie Mitchell, Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ Sport, JamieM@uqsport.com.au, 0423 785 752.