Olympic talent set to spike at Craigslea State High School's Volleyball Centre
- $18 million sports hall opens at Craigslea State High School
- Purpose-built facility Volleyball Centre of Excellence, replaces almost 50-year-old courts
- First new venue built with the capability to hold training camps for Brisbane 2032
The Crisafulli Government has officially opened the new Volleyball Centre for Excellence in Brisbane's Northside.
The $18 million indoor sports hall at Craigslea State High School at Chermside West will be a game-changer for local athletes and community sporting groups.
It also has the capability to serve as a Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic pre-Games training site and will give local children and community members an opportunity to train in a worldclass facility.
The new 1,705-square-metre multipurpose sports hall features:
- Two international-standard volleyball courts, convertible into four training courts or 10 badminton courts
- Seating for up to 200 on the mezzanine level, ideal for coaching
- Modern amenities including two change rooms, a kiosk, meeting rooms and tiered external seating for the adjacent sports oval.
The Volleyball Centre for Excellence is designed to support the school's highly successful Volleyball Academy which had been operating at the site since 1988.
Minister for Sport and Racing and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tim Mander said it is exciting to see the purpose-built centre now open.
"This first-class facility will benefit local students and athletes and become a lasting resource for the wider community for many years to come," Minister Mander said.
"School halls and ovals are vital for grassroots sporting clubs, and we will continue to work towards creating more accessible spaces for the community to enjoy, helping to get more Queenslanders active.
"The Crisafulli Government is committed to providing high-quality sporting facilities to support the development of athletes in the lead up to the Brisbane 2032 Games and beyond."
Minister for Education John-Paul Langbroek said he is proud for Queensland to be home to one of the most successful school-based volleyball academies in the nation.
"The significant investment made to this facility will benefit not only rising athletes at the school, but also in the local community," Minister Langbroek said.
"This world-class facility will provide Queensland's future Olympians and Paralympians the opportunity to compete with the best come 2032."
Craigslea State High School Principal Mick Leigh said the new volleyball centre will lift their game further to a professional level.
"It's an absolute game changer for us. It offers the ability for our coaches to work together with their squads, rather than being limited by the number of squads able to fit into the old court at one time," Mick said.
"The current hall that we have was not fit for purpose in terms of being able to run a full-size volleyball court in training. This Olympic-standard volleyball centre has the correct run off and height so students can do what they need to do during the game."
