Mackay basketball stadium expansion unveils new courts, function room

A Mackay sporting committee has announced it will be the latest to begin plans for a redeveloped and expanded stadium to be ‘the best in the state’.

A major sporting facility will join a long list of redevelopment plans as Mackay’s sporting precinct springs to life, with Olympic-sized goals in view.

Mackay Basketball is planning a major expansion to the multi-sports stadium which hosts the Meteors and Meteorettes, as well as state and national competitions.

Mackay Meteors head coach Joel Khalu said an upgraded stadium would help attract major sporting tournaments and potentially Olympic camps.

McDonald's Mackay Multi-Sports Stadium in Mackay, March 1, 2022. Picture: Matthew Forrest

“We’ve had major growth in the past 12 months so obviously that means at some stage facility development is going to happen,” he said.

“We’re looking at what else we can do with our facility, one thing we don’t have is a general function room, so there was talk about what we could do to value-add to the stadium.

The NBL1 North premiers Mackay Meteors, September 11, 2021. Picture: Matthew Forrest

“We want to get more courts with more and more people getting involved and playing basketball, but we’re a multi-sport stadium and we have netball and futsal here as well.

“There’s also major tournaments coming up as well, we need to make sure the facilities stay in line with current trends, but also make sure lighting, court surfacing and seating are where they need to be in terms of maintenance.”

The basketball stadium would join Harrup Park, BB Print Stadium and the Lyn Law netball courts with redevelopment plans either under way or in the works.

Hayden Wicks, Chris Cedar and Freddy Webb after the NBL1 North grand final between Mackay Meteors and Cairns Marlins, September 11, 2021. Picture: Matthew Forrest

Khalu said Mackay Regional Council was proactive with upgrade plans and there was a clear attempt to siphon camps and pre-tournament matches ahead of the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.

“We’ve been really lucky that Greg (Williamson) and the council have seen the value in what we’re doing as a multi-sport stadium,” he said.

McDonald's Mackay Multi-Sports Stadium in Mackay, March 1, 2022. Picture: Matthew Forrest

“With 2032 and the plans ahead of the Games, everyone’s putting their hands up to see how their facilities can be developed and what money can be spent.

“Our venue is one of the best in the state, we’d love to be involved in having teams here before the tournament for preparations since it’s a great place for camps.

“Mackay is a huge sporting town, to see all these developments starting to take shape and have those discussions benefits all of us, so to see the development at Harrup Park and to hear the discussions at BB Print Stadium is all really exciting for us.”

Originally published as Mackay basketball stadium expansion unveils new courts, function room