Queensland Country Bank Stadium passes fan test during open day

Business in Townsville’s CBD surged while concerns over transport to and from the new Queensland Country Bank Stadium were nullified as thousands streamed through the gates for the fan open day.

A family open day was held to officially unveil Townsville's new Queensland Country Bank Stadium to the public. PICTURE: MATT TAYLOR.

Business  in Townsville’s CBD surged while concerns over transport to and from the new Queensland Country Bank Stadium eased as thousands streamed through the gates for the fan open day.

On Saturday 8240 fans poured into the stadium, far less than the 19,200 people who originally signed up for the free event, with heavy showers deterring some.

Queensland Country Bank Stadium venue manager Glenn Arboit marked the day as a success despite the lower than anticipated numbers that turned out.

“The Queensland Country Bank Stadium Open Day was a great success, with more than 8000 people through the gates, checking out the bars and finding their seats,” he said.

“The event was a great opportunity for the Townsville community to see inside, and gave the stadium and locals the chance to have a dry run before our first big event.”

Mr Arboit said no major issues were identified and all minor concerns would be “easily remedied” ahead of the Elton John concert on Saturday.

GALLERY

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, speaking at the open day, described the new stadium as “world class” and anticipated it would attract more events of that calibre.

“This is a world class facility and what we’re going to see very clearly is people coming from across Queensland and across Australia,” she said.

“We’ve got concerts coming, of course the Cowboys playing, we’re going to have a Wallabies match and we’re also going to try and get the Jeff Horn fight as well.”

Townsville MP Scott Stewart said people lined up outside the gates “like a Boxing Day sale” wanting to get their first look and feel inside the new stadium.

“We’ve been always second best but now it’s time for us to shine,” Mr Stewart said.

“Locating it so close to the CBD is about activating our CBD to really complement what happens in this great facility.”

Nearby restaurants reported a boost in sales following an increase in foot traffic. Hundreds of people could be seen walking to the stadium from the city, with many making use of the new Little Fletcher Bridge, allowing people to cross Ross Creek from behind Central Village.

Restaurants in Central Village noted 30 per cent increases in the number of customers.

“It was a very busy, busy day,” Hog’s Breath Cafe kitchen manager Dakota Gough said.

She said 152 people swung through the doors at lunchtime.

“Usually on a lunch we would have done about 98 covers,” she said.

“We will be booming with the new stadium.”

Otto’s team leader Anita Suffield said business “boomed” from about 10am, with people buying hundreds of sandwiches.

The lack of parking around the stadium did little to deter fans from coming into the city.

Many opted to park elsewhere and either walk or bus it in.

Barry and Donna Weeding drove from Annandale into the city.

The couple believed there would be better access to the new stadium. “We didn’t get to too many games before because of parking,” Mrs Weeding said.

“It’s going to be good for the city.”

Leah Payne, of Mount Low, opted to park at the showgrounds and catch a bus to the city.

“It was (easy),” she said. “We were straight on. It was a good system, it was very efficient.”

Ms Payne, who is going to the Elton John concert, said she was used to park and ride systems from her time spent on the Gold Coast.

Originally published as Queensland Country Bank Stadium passes fan test during open day