Mackay Football Park receives $800k LNP state election pledge from Nigel Dalton

Following other commitments to regional sporting and community facilities, the LNP have pledged another $800k to upgrading a Mackay soccer facility.

Nigel Dalton announced a $800k funding commitment to the Mackay Football Park on October 10, 2024. Photo: Fergus Gregg

Following two similar commitments to North Queensland sporting organisations the LNP will commit hundreds of thousands to a vital soccer facility.

If elected on October 26, Nigel Dalton has pledged he will commit $800,000 to the Mackay Football Park.

This comes days after Mr Dalton pledged $800,000 to the Mackay Hockey Association and Whitsunday MP Amanda Camm pledged $100,000 to the Airlie Beach Bowls Club.

Mr Dalton called himself a passionate follower of soccer and pointed to his experience coaching the sport for 10 years.

True to his background in coaching, Mr Dalton hopped onto the field for some drills. Photo: Fergus Gregg

“It’s a real passion of mine to see youngsters learning how to play the game but also learn resilience,” Mr Dalton said.

“Learning all about discipline, learning to be on time, learning to be respectful to the referees and learning to be respectful to their opponents.”

The $800,000 investment will go to building a large car park on the grounds, which Mr Dalton said will support the club’s growth.

“I’ve been here on a Saturday morning when all the junior soccer teams are playing and there are probably about 4000 people on the grounds,” he said.

“With those 4000 vehicles there’s almost two and a half thousand SUVs parked in the car park and they don’t fit.”

The Mackay Football Park’s 24 fields are used by all four Mackay junior football clubs — Magpies, Dolphins, Wanders and Rangers.

Football Queensland Regional Manager for the Mackay-Whitsundays Calem Sorenson said the commitment was fantastic.

“It’s gonna mean a lot for our football community considering the growth we’ve had in football over the last 12 month period,” Mr Sorenson said.

“Throughout the state we’ve seen roughly a 44 per cent increase in participation in the female space … so huge numbers off the back of the Women’s World Cup.

Mr Sorenson said the $800k figure was “close” to the number they need to fund the new carpark in completion and if the club fell short they would need to apply for grants for further funding.

Mr Dalton’s previous commitment to the Mackay Hockey Association was overshadowed by a Labor commitment of $1.5m to the hockey club, which Mr Dalton called foolish at the time.

When asked if he stood by his belief the larger spend was unnecessary he said he did.

Labor candidate Belinda Hassan has been asked if she or Labor will match the LNP commitment to the Mackay Football Park.

Originally published as Mackay Football Park receives $800k LNP state election pledge from Nigel Dalton