Wests Tigers Mackay lock in $3.125m in funding from the LNP in promise ahead of Queensland state election

Wests Tigers Mackay have secured a major election promise from the LNP to expand their multipurpose facilities, meaning more time for kids playing sport and less time travelling on the road.

Wests Tigers Mackay chairman Brett Leach and general manager Kingsley Theiber. Picture: Heidi Petith

Wests Tigers Mackay has locked in a significant election promise from one of the two major parties, with the LNP committing $3.125 million in funding for proposed redevelopments at the Tigers’ Walkerston facility.

The funding will go toward the completion of the first stage of Wests’ $20m four-stage ‘master plan’, with the focus of stage 1 expanding changing and spectating facilities.

“We want to make sure that there’s a place here that everyone can participate in, especially people out in rural areas,” Tigers general manager Kingsley Theiber said.

“The general consensus from the people I speak to is that the cost of living is high and they’re time-poor, so the less time they can be on the road travelling to trainings, the more kids we’ll get playing sport.”

Theiber said the funding on offer would focus on extending the facilities they already have.

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

“It will be an extension of the current change-room facility which will see us have an additional four change rooms, which will be female-friendly, along with new unisex toilets,” he said.

“We’ll also have a new VIP spectator viewing area and additional general viewing areas.

“We’ll also be laying the foundation for new multipurpose courts, which will cater to netball, basketball, pickleball and volleyball, and down the track in stage 2 we have plans for that to become a fully covered facility.

“None of those sports have facilities out in the Pioneer Valley currently.

“Another two rectangle fields will be built to cater towards rugby league, soccer, gridiron and then down the track rugby union if they’re looking to come to us as well.”

In a statement, the LNP said the grant would come us part of their Games On! community Olympic and Paralympic legacy fund.

“Queensland’s grassroots sporting and recreation clubs are the backbone of local communities and Games On! will get more Queenslanders on the field,” LNP Leader David Crisafulli said.

“And the Club’s plans for this expansion onto a neighbouring cane farm paddock are projected to create 126 new jobs and inject $11.34 million into the local economy.”

The ALP had not responded to requests for comment on whether they would be willing to match the offer at the time of publication.

Originally published as Wests Tigers Mackay lock in $3.125m in funding from the LNP in promise ahead of Queensland state election