A $1.35 million Palaszczuk Government investment in a multipurpose, community field upgrade has opened for kick off at Ipswich State High School.
The new synthetic football pitch was officially opened by Member for Ipswich Jennifer Howard.
Member for Ipswich West Jim Madden said the field was good news for the school and the community.
"The field upgrade at Ipswich State High School is designed for school and community sport and recreation," Mr Madden said.
"As an all-weather playing surface, this is a durable investment in Ipswich State High School's high-performance football program.
"The upgrade to a synthetic surface means school football teams can now play competition matches on home turf with options for community clubs to use the field too.
"It's a full-sized field for up to 22 players which can be split to create space for multiple games including futsal.
"This infrastructure upgrade also includes an athletics track bend to inspire high-performance sport and personal bests."
Ipswich State High offers high-performance programs in football, rugby league, basketball, and netball.
Sport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the synthetic field project had received $650,000 from the Government's Active Community Infrastructure program and $700,000 from the Department of Education.
"This is a first-class playing surface at Ipswich State High School for school football competition and the Ipswich community," Mr Hinchliffe said.
"An important part of the Government's Active Community Infrastructure program is the Community Use of Schools initiative.
"It means designing sport and recreation infrastructure on school land that can also be enjoyed by local not-for-profit sporting clubs and the wider community.
"The field upgrade at Ipswich State High School will see many great wins for student teams, and community sport and recreation.
"Part of our 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games legacy commitment is the delivery of infrastructure that provides opportunity for communities to stay active.
"We know active Queenslanders are healthy Queenslanders."
Ipswich State High School Principal Simon Riley said local football clubs were showing a keen interest in the upgraded facility.
"They are very excited to have access to a first-class, all-weather ground, providing a nice uniform surface for players and good drainage so that it is never slippery," Mr Riley said.
"Many of our staff and students play for local clubs, so it's great to increase our partnerships with the community and provide a first-class facility for everyone.
"The synthetic surface is perfect for futsal in particular, providing club players across Ipswich access to a fantastic facility for training and play."
The Palaszczuk Government's $16 million Active Community Infrastructure program has funded 21 projects.
