OPINION
IT’S been an incredibly sad week for Ipswich, being overlooked for any significant Olympic opportunities of a lifetime.
Sure, we might get to host the 2032 modern pentathlon at Springfield, a multi-faceted event that will generate more attention overseas than in Australia.
However, Ipswich has been left behind in the allocation of major sports and venues going to Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Logan, Toowoomba and other regional centres.
It’s particularly concerning Logan is receiving substantial investment while our great sporting city with 250,000 people misses out.
Ipswich City Council and our state and federal members have plenty to be accountable for in what went wrong trying to secure our city more benefits from a global event that extends much further than sport.
One of the main reasons is Ipswich is currently ill-equipped to host a major Olympic competition.
The lack of progress on projects like the North Ipswich Reserve sport and entertainment redevelopment continues to haunt us.
Ipswich is simply too slow in getting important projects moving.
Sunday’s announcement that stage one of the $40million North Ipswich Reserve redevelopment was ready to go to tender came far too late when we’ve known for years the Olympics were coming to Brisbane.
Even with extra time to lobby hard while the previous state government procrastinated, Ipswich still failed to capitalise.
Internal issues in Ipswich City Council have also surely played a part too.
Ipswich needed a united force pressing 2032 Olympic decision makers to provide funding and ensure our city is more involved.
The best we can hope for now is Ipswich provides some training venues in the lead-up to the Olympics and Paralympics.
Venues like the Ipswich Hockey Complex, Springfield Central Sports Complex, Briggs Road Sporting Complex, Redbank Plains Recreational Reserve, Ipswich Musketeers fields and Ipswich BMX facility could be possible pre-Games sites.
But they will need temporary facility upgrades to cater for international demands.
The Ipswich Hockey Complex is one venue that could host overseas teams training for the 2032 Olympics. Photo: LYLE RADFORD
Another problem is a lack of suitable accommodation for teams wanting to set up a training base here.
It’s not too late for Council to formulate a game plan to entice visiting countries and provide the accommodation needed.
Ipswich could benefit economically if this is achieved and our tourist services are cast into the spotlight.
Covering the Sydney 2000 Olympics, I travelled daily on public transport from the Sydney CBD to the Homebush Games hub.
It was so enjoyable – especially after evening events – sharing experiences with volunteers and visitors from around the world who praised what Sydney delivered.
Brisbane 2032 – and the expanded Queensland regional focus – can do the same. Just without any high profile involvement from Ipswich.
One consolation is we are close to many Games venues and can get to see some of the best events live.
And Ipswich residents have a rare chance to share in the unique volunteering opportunities.
The 2000 Olympic Torch Relay created tremendous community excitement in Ipswich.
Another pre-Games ritual we must consider is the Olympic Torch Relay.
Ipswich hosted an incredible community event at Limestone Park on June 14, 2000.
The celebration that attracted more than 20,000 people featured a multi-cultural parade, our sporting greats, a food fair and mini-Olympics.
School children lit candles and Indigenous musicians entertained the huge crowd in the lead-up to the historic arrival of the torch.
Paralympian Norma Koplick lit the cauldron to the roar of the Limestone Park crowd.
RAAF Base Amberley contributed with a show of what a real flame looks like - with a spectacular dump and burn from an F-111 over our skies.
It’s time we start planning what Ipswich can deliver when the Olympic Torch heads our way in seven short years.
It’s time to salvage something of value and civic pride for Ipswich.
