Former champion Kyle Vander-Kuyp says a new sports stadium in Darwin was a ‘no-brainer’

A proposed $300m Darwin City Stadium is a “no-brainer" that would only inspire local sports stars to reach for the elite level, former champion hurdler Kyle Vander-Kuyp says.

A proposed $300m sports stadium in the heart of Darwin or possibly at Marrara is a “no-brainer" that would inspire local sports stars to reach for the elite level, former champion hurdler Kyle Vander-Kuyp says.

The NT News on Thursday revealed the new $300m Darwin City Stadium was being fast-tracked to the business case stage amid greater enthusiasm for the project.

Vander-Kuyp said a major, international-standard facility would complement the Territory’s “beautiful tourism opportunities” in a region which had lacked sporting resources and infrastructure compared to southern states.

“For Darwin, it’s a no-brainer,” Vander-Kuyp said.

“I really welcome an elite facility like that to be in the region... it’s probably long overdue.

“The flow on affect is not just for locals, but for international opportunities to come into the region

“You don’t dream of going on the MCG when you’ve got your own MCG in your own backyard.”

He felt having an international sporting facility would also inspire local sportspeople to strive for greater heights.

“You start to reach for that elite level a bit more,” he said.

He also felt it would embraced by the local, sports-loving public.

Former Australian hurdler Kyle Vander-Kuyp has backed a local push for a major sports stadium in Darwin. Picture: George Salpigtidis.

“That would be a welcome addition and something that would be well-utilisted, it would be something that would be embraced by locals,” he said.

“You’ve got such a love of sport, such a passionate community around sport, everyone’s a winner with a facility that can be built like that.

“You don't want a place like Darwin to miss out on major sporting infrastructure.”

Earlier, AFL NT chairman Sean Bowden said the stadium could potentially host AFL, southeast Asia soccer and Indian Premier League matches.

“There’s been some exploratory work done about whether… with a good stadium, you’d be able to host IPL cricket,” Bowden told Katie Woolf on Mix 104.9 on Thursday morning.

“They’re running out of venues. We think there’s a real option there.”

Mr Bowden said under a best case proposal it could be filled up to 50 weeks a year, but it was important the stadium was an “iconic, central place to play” that boasted Territory “culture and flavour”.

He also believed the advancement of a new stadium could run “parallel” with the Territory’s quest for its own AFL team.

Major Darwin sporting stadium will be built “one day”, says Acting Territory Chief Minister

ACTING Territory Chief Minister Nicole Manison has said Darwin will need a new CBD stadium “one day”.

The NT News on Thursday revealed the new $300m Darwin City Stadium was being fast-tracked to the business case stage amid greater enthusiasm for the project.

Speaking to the media on Thursday, Ms Manison said the proposal was vital if the Territory ever wanted to snag an official AFL team.

“We do want to see one day that Northern Territory has its own AFL team and if we are to do that, we will need to have a stadium that is of AFL standard,” she said.

Ms Manison, who is filling in for Chief Minister Michael Gunner, said the NT government was working with the AFL’s task-force on the issue.

She said the government were “really proud of our record” in developing and upgrading regional and remote sporting facilities.

Property Council NT executive director Ruth Palmer said the new stadium “would revitalise city living and position Darwin as a global, outward looking harbour city”.

But Ms Palmer warned the redevelopment of the proposed stadium site needed to ensure existing commercial real estate in the CBD wasn’t left at a disadvantage.

“Public transportation is crucial to avoid already crowded parking in the CBD and encourage spectators to stay out late and enjoy pubs and restaurants without driving home,” she said.

AFL NT chairman Sean Bowden said a new stadium in Darwin’s CBD needed to be complemented by widespread upgrades to remote football and sporting facilities, including new grass, lighting and changerooms.

Coldplay and the Olympics? Darwin’s new $300m stadium a step closer

A PRELIMINARY report into a brand new $300m Darwin City Stadium has been completed, with supporters of the proposal now set to prepare a business case for the proposal.

The NT News has obtained a copy of the Darwin Stadium Advocacy document, prepared by PricewaterhouseCoopers, which raised the prospect that it could also play a role in hosting events for the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games.

“From Coldplay to Monster Truck Mania, the Darwin City Stadium will be a global stage for touring artists and host unmissable events and performances, establishing the Territory as the home of live music and events in Northern Australia,” the document said.

The document is supported by AFL NT, Northern Territory Cricket, Hospitality NT and the Larrakia Development Corporation.

Artist impression of the proposed AFL stadium for the Darwin CBD. Picture: SUPPLIED

The stadium would be located along Garramilla Blvd on the edge of Darwin’s CBD and could create up to 2600 jobs during construction.

As part of the push, AFL NT is also urging political parties to consider funding significant upgrades to remote sporting facilities, including change rooms, grandstands and fields, to help train up a future generation of bush athletes.

AFL NT chairman Sean Bowden said the construction of a stadium would give Darwin national and international recognition.

Mr Bowden said that in addition to an AFL team, it would also draw in music performances, Indian Premier League cricket matches and South East Asian soccer matches.

The location of a planned Darwin CBD stadium

“The idea is to activate the city centre and give Darwin an iconic focal point that will be recognisable nationally and internationally,” he said.

Mr Bowden said efforts to prepare a business case for the stadium would now be accelerated.

“Given the support we’re receiving in the community, we’re looking to move directly to the preparation of a bankable business case,” he said.

As part of the renewed push for a stadium, Mr Bowden said AFL NT was hoping political parties would commit to providing between $100m-$200m to upgrade over 40 facilities across remote parts of the NT.

It would include better ovals, upgraded changing facilities for men and women, access to drinking water and off-field amenities.

Artist impression of the proposed AFL stadium for the Darwin CBD. Picture: SUPPLIED

“AFL NT is really proud of our remote development teams … we see the social benefit and we want to broaden it and deepen it throughout the Northern Territory,” Mr Bowden said.

“We’re hoping both parties look favourably upon a remote infrastructure package of this size, as it’s immediately required.”

The proposed stadium in Darwin’s CBD has long been called for.

Last year, Territory industry leaders said the stadium would be a “gamechanger” for the city, with Hospitality NT chief executive Alex Bruce at the time saying it would have flow on benefits for bars, restaurants, cafes, hotels and retail chains in the city.

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Originally published as Former champion Kyle Vander-Kuyp says a new sports stadium in Darwin was a ‘no-brainer’