Cairns Regional Council staff present rectangular sports stadium dream

The tantalising prospect of Cairns building a $100m rectangular sports stadium and precinct ahead of the 2032 Olympic Games has taken a giant leap forward.

THE TANTALISING prospect of Cairns building a state-of-the-art rectangular sports stadium and precinct ahead of the 2032 Olympic Games has taken a giant leap forward following a meeting between influential stakeholders.

Key Cairns Regional Council staffers have endorsed a bold plan to transform the Barlow Park and Cairns Showgrounds into a major events mecca including a 20,000-seat stadium set to rival Townsville’s Queensland Country Bank Stadium.

Council chief executive officer Mica Martin said a meeting was held with council representatives and a coalition of community leaders who all confirmed support for the “catalytic” development that would announce the city as a global events draw.

An artist impression of a plan on how to create a 20,000-seat rectangular stadium at Barlow Park in Cairns, as well as other major sporting and associated infrastructure including fields, courts, extensive parking and athletics tracks. PICTURE: SUPPLIED

It’s estimated the precinct will cost in the vicinity of $100m, with Federal MP Warren Entsch reaffirming council could pounce on a 50:50 state and federal Olympic funding proposal.

Ms Martin said a key feature of the Barlow Park plan would be a flash new stadium capable of attracting leading sports and entertainment events “while still accommodating local needs.”

The Cairns Showgrounds would remain a key feature of the precinct with other complementary facilities, services and connections to be further considered to ensure competitive alternatives for national and international promoters.

“There is a lot more to be done, critical people to talk to and a proposal to develop but we are off to a positive start,” Ms Martin said following the meeting.

Ms Martin said a detailed plan would be formally presented to Cairns Mayor Bob Manning and councillors “at the earliest opportunity”.

Cairns Regional Council CEO Mica Martin. Picture: Brendan Radke

The meeting involved Ms Martin, Mr Entsch, Advance Cairns chief executive Paul Sparshott, Cairns Chamber of Commerce CEO Patricia O’Neill, Tourism Tropical North Queensland CEO Mark Olsen and the Advance Cairns director and the Chair Olympics Infrastructure Taskforce Michael Delaney.

Mr Entsch said locking in Barlow Park as the location “no ifs, buts or maybes” was a landmark moment.

“The Cairns council officers have done a lot of good work and they have shown that we can build a catalytic world class tropical stadium without destroying the athletics track,” he said.

“It’s quite amazing the concept, and we are not talking about a single building, this is creating an entire precinct.

“The officers now have something to take back to councillors and it’s very exciting.”

Mr Entsch said council officers made it “very clear” the vision was not mutually exclusive to plans to invest the city’s water supply – estimated to cost around $215m.

Mackay, Bundaberg and Rockhampton already have rectangular stadiums at their disposal and the Gold Coast recently got an Olympic commitment for two new small stadiums.

Ms O’Neill said the city deserved to add a world class entertainment and events space.

“It is going to be a game-changer,” she said.

Mr Sparshott said he was “very impressed with the presentation” by councillors.

“This is something I believe the city wants and can get behind,” he said.

Cairns MP and Assistant Tourism Minister Michael Healy said he had been briefed on the outcomes of the meeting and was “very supportive.”

”This is something I spoke to council about the moment the Olympics were announced and it’s all very positive,” he said.

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Originally published as Cairns Regional Council staff present rectangular sports stadium dream