Cairns junior league facility ‘in danger’ following COVID-19
A Cairns junior sporting facility is fighting for survival as financial losses mount in the COVID-19 pandemic.
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A Cairns junior sporting facility is fighting for survival as financial losses mount in the COVID-19 pandemic.
Jones Park has produced generations of rugby league dreams since the land was bought for a single dollar by the Cairns District Junior Rugby League from the prominent Jones family in 1966. But there are fears for the Westcourt venue’s future due to the financial impact of the ongoing coronavirus crisis.
“It’s really hard with no games at all, no registrations, no money coming in,” said Jones Park board of management chairwoman Pat Bailey.
“It takes a lot of money to run a complex like that. You’ve got rates, insurance, water rates, maintenance and looking after the fields – it’s a big thing and a lot goes into it.”
Community rugby league, including junior grassroots footy, is suspended in Queensland up to June 1.
A possible return on that date is still contingent on a review of the current Queensland Health directive, which remains in place until May 19.
Bailey said even if the junior league could return in June, it would likely need some financial assistance.
“I’m just hoping there might be somebody out there that would like to financially assist us in making sure that Jones Park survives and is still owned by the Cairns District Junior Rugby League,” she said.
“But things are pretty crook all over town at the moment.”
She said Jones Park’s survival was important for future generations of footy players in the Far North.
“When the Jones family gave that land to the CDJRL for $1, it was to be used for junior sports,” Bailey said.
“I don’t want to see it sold off. That’s one thing I worry about. It’s in danger.
“There’s not much green space in Cairns left and it’s probably one of the biggest.
“We just have to make sure that it survives so our kids have got somewhere to play, so that they can maybe go on to play at the higher level.”
Bailey was appointed chairwoman of the Jones Park board of management after Warren Pitt stood down from the role late last year.
“He’s done a wonderful job and now it’s up to us to keep that going,” she said.
Originally published as Cairns junior league facility ‘in danger’ following COVID-19