LNP honours $3.125m election promise to Wests Tigers Mackay, construction set for September

Construction to upgrade dated facilities to be more “female friendly” can begin within months as an election promise to a regional Mackay sports club is honoured.

Work to upgrade facilities at Wests Tigers Mackay to be more “female friendly” can start in September after state government delivered on its $3.125m “game-changing” promise made during the election.

Tigers general manager Kingsley Theiber said the money would go towards stage one of the Walkerston clubs’ $20m four-stage ‘master plan’ which includes renovating the very dated change room facilities.

“The current facilities were built here in 1995 when it was very male dominated in sport,” he said.
“We’re looking at creating female friendly dressing rooms.”

As well as four new change rooms, unisex toilets, a parents’ room and a VIP viewing platform, the funding would go towards adding four new multi purpose courts for netball, basketball and pickleball “with a view to cover those courts down the track”.

Western Suburbs Leagues Club general manager Kingsley Theiber is stoked as state government this week delivers on $3.125m promise. Picture: Matthew Forrest

Theiber said Wests was one of the largest junior rugby league participation clubs with more than 600 players and currently there were only two change rooms, which became heavily congested especially during weekend sport carnivals.

“Construction will start at the end of our rugby league and soccer season this year so we’re looking at probably September start,” Theiber said.

“That’ll have hopefully the new dressing rooms in place ready to go out the side of next season.”

The funding would also go towards lighting fields two and three.

Wests Tigers Mackay in Walkerston has unveiled its club expansion master plan which includes three new fields for soccer, gridiron and rugby league, as well as two new ovals for AFL and cricket. Picture: Contributed

Wests has bought 60 acres behind the club for “a multi-sports precinct plan” to offer more to families such as those in the Pioneer Valley who did not have access to such facilities.

“We have a membership base of about 8000 … we hear it all the time that mums and dads are working all these hours and getting home and then not being able to take the kids into town into training with the facilities are.”

The good news comes on the back of a tough few years for the club which took “a massive hit through Covid” followed by a devastating ram-raid.

Theiber said the club had only recovered in the past six to 12 months.

Member for Mirani Glen Kelly said the upgrade would help the next generation of athletes take their abilities to the next level.

“These new changerooms and accessible facilities are a game-changer for the Wests Tigers, where this club has been an integral part of the community for decades,” Mr Kelly said.

“From junior players starting their sporting journey to senior players showing off their skills, these upgrades will benefit everyone.”

Originally published as LNP honours $3.125m election promise to Wests Tigers Mackay, construction set for September