Bellbowrie Sport & Community Club
Dual function clubhouse designed to celebrate both sport and community.
Location Bellbowrie, QLD (Jaggera/Turrbal Country)
Client Rounsefell Design & Bellbowrie Sport & Community Club
Size 1500m² (Clubhouse)
Status Master Plan/Concept completed
Project Type Sport & Recreation
The new Master Plan and Concept Design for the Bellbowrie Community and Sports Clubhouse positions a new clubhouse — designed by Open Architecture Studio — as a vibrant hub for celebrating sport and the local community.
Working in close collaboration with Landscape Architect Mandy Rounsefell, we were deeply involved in the master planning process, addressing significant flood risk and environmental constraints through strategic design solutions. The site's location within Brisbane River flood zones, combined with overland flow corridors on three sides, required comprehensive hazard assessment and mitigation strategies. Six clubhouse location options and associated field layouts were systematically evaluated against flood risk, field efficiency, operational criteria, and cost — ensuring the final Master Plan reflects both the ambitions of the community and the realities of the site.
The resulting two-level clubhouse is strategically located within the redesigned sports precinct, with flood mitigation measures integral to its design to protect against the damages experienced in the past. The upper floor is dedicated to community facilities, allied health services, and a licensed club, while the lower level accommodates sporting changerooms and equipment storage. This thoughtful layout enhances connectivity between the clubhouse and the playing fields, ensuring ease of use for all community members and equitable access for players of all abilities.
Strategically, the Master Plan orients sporting club facilities toward the fields, while community and commercial facilities greet visitors arriving from the car park and drop-off area — providing excellent access to both functions and optimal visibility for commercial tenants.
The clubhouse is a vital element of a comprehensive BCC-funded Master Plan aimed at reconfiguring the precinct and playing fields, increasing local sports participation, and expanding community offerings. We are proud to be part of this transformative project and look forward to seeing it realised.
