Installing lights at Riverway Stadium is just one of Townsville’s sporting challenges

Townsville needs more government and private funding to support its sporting aspirations, including lighting up Riverway Stadium. See how much it will really cost.

Sporting insights were provided by Councillor Suzy Batkovic, FGH Group's Jamie Fitzpatrick, and Cowboys Football Club's Jeff Reibel at the Property Council of Australia’s The Power of Investment In Regional Areas luncheon. Picture: Leighton Smith.

A special gathering to discuss the importance of investment in Townsville’s sports heard that it would cost up to $15 million to properly upgrade Riverway Stadium with broadcast-level lights and supporting infrastructure.

The revelation was provided by former Olympian, Basketball Australia director, and Townsville City Councillor Suzy Batkovic during her keynote address to the Property Council of Australia’s well-attended The Power of Investment In Regional Areas luncheon on Friday.

Despite Herbert MP Phillip Thompson repledging to upgrade the lights at Riverway Stadium with $6 million during the federal election campaign, Ms Batkovic revealed that it fell well short of what was needed.

“We need new lights, and that’s no secret, we’ve been talking about it for years, and I think it’s coming … it’s a journey to get to this point,” Ms Batkovic said.

“But there’s other specs on that. A lot of these sports also come with agreements … to be able to cater so they can televise it, because otherwise they’re not coming.

Cricket North Queensland president Peter Busch and Federal member for Herbert Phillip Thompson are campaigning for lighting upgrades at Riverway Stadium. Picture: Shae Beplate.

“We need that commentary tower, we need those screens, then … and I think the lights on its own at about $8 million now, with costs continuing to escalate … you’re probably looking at $13-15 million to actually upgrade Riverway to where it needs to be, and that’s including the car park.”

She said there were other local facilities that might need some “tweaks” to get them up to a high standard, costing around $2 million, while the Murray Skate Park needed $4-8 million to reach an international standard.

Aidan Skinner from SK8 M8S and Cr Suzy Batkovic at the upgraded Murray Skate Park last year. Picture: Evan Morgan

There was interest from Netherlands about using Townsville’s BMX facility in the lead up to the 2032 Olympics, but it would require a new international standard track, with “long discussions” already had with local state members about the proposal.

Quoting Basketball Australia statistics, Ms Batkovic said Townsville had a shortage of basketball courts, and it was “ridiculous” that between 150-200 kids were waitlisted at any one time.

“That’s just one example of one sport. This is the issue in all sports here. So with the growing city, we’re going to see it get even worse,” she said.

Having grown up in a regional area, Ms Batkovic recognised the disadvantage for local kids not being exposed to elite coaches able to progress them to the next level.

She called for greater collaboration with the private sector and every level of government, investment in scholarships, and for a Queensland Academy of Sport to be based in Townsville.

FGH Group managing director Jamie Fitzpatrick said Townsville needed to focus on liveability to attract people to this area, but the lack of housing stood as a key barrier to overcome.

Panel discussion with Turner & Townsend's Ashley Stewart, Councillor Suzy Batkovic, FGH Group's Jamie Fitzpatrick, and Cowboys Football Club's Jeff Reibel. Picture: Leighton Smith.

Cowboys Football Club chief executive Jeff Reibel said securing funding for necessary sporting infrastructure, like Queensland Country Bank Stadium or the High Performance Centre, was a “long road”.

“It’s about timing, and it’s about being able to show the need, and what the outcome is if you’re able to fulfil that need,” Mr Reibel said.

“We need to work extra hard here in the regions … the more people that we can keep in their homes … with their own mum and dad or their caregiver, is the best way to bring up any athlete through a development system.”

Thuringowa MP Natalie Marr was approached for comment on Riverway Stadium.

Originally published as Installing lights at Riverway Stadium is just one of Townsville’s sporting challenges