Barlow Park revamp revealed ahead of 2032 Olympic Games
A world-class facility capable of attracting elite events to the Far North, has been a pipe dream for a decade - but the 2032 Olympic Games is providing some impetus for it happen. Watch the concept video
Cairns
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The state government has revealed concept plans for Barlow Park which includes a new 5000-seat grandstand and a further 15,000 temporary seats to enable it to be fit for purpose to host football matches for the 2032 Olympics.
The athletics track — long a thorn in the side of some proponents for a world class venue — will remain.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, providing a glimpse of what the stadium could look like in 2032, said the concept plan was not final and funding, on a 50-50 federal-state basis, was still to be determined.
The government has previously said $40m was earmarked for Barlow Park.
The concept plans include sealed car parks, improved facilities and amenities, TV ready lighting and screen upgrades and a six-star green star rating.
Ms Palaszczuk said Cairns would be a home away from home for 3900 athletes for football preliminaries and games would be beamed to an audience of five billion people.
She said Barlow Park would have ongoing capability to host elite level fixtures and would be a world-class venue for Far North Queensland - but the concept plans seem to fall short of what advocates want, which is a venue on par with the $293.5m stadium at Townsville, which has permanent seating for 25,000 and sports lighting incorporated into the stadium roof.
Cairns has been jostling to become the home base of a potential 18th NRL team and ARL Commission boss Peter V’landys has confirmed talks were under way for Papua New Guinea to enter the NRL as early as 2026.
Seven venues at the Gold Coast have been chosen for sports including volleyball, beach volleyball, judo, wrestling, and wheelchair rugby.
Four Sunshine Coast venues have been earmarked for football, soccer, and basketball preliminaries, cycling, sailing, and mountain bike cycling.
The Queensland Country Bank stadium at Townsville and Toowoomba Sports Ground, with 15,000 capacity, will host Olympic events.
Last month, Cairns Regional Council approved an $8.35m upgrade that included $7m for improved lighting and a $1.3m video replay screen.
The works will begin in September with a completion date of mid-2024.
Council had anticipated $4m from the federal government’s Building Better Regions fund - but it was scrapped.
Council received $4m from the state government toward the project.
The facility needs lighting and audiovisual upgrades for council to attract more frequent state, national and international sporting events.
A $935m pot of funding for 16 new and upgraded regional Queensland sports grounds for the Olympics was included in the 2023-24 federal budget.
Last September, council released concept plans for a sporting and events precinct but there are no funds in the 10-year capital works program for upgrades.
Council commissioned Ross Planning to produce a report for a major events precinct incorporating the Cairns Showgrounds, Barlow Park Multi-sports facility and surrounds.
The report notes there is almost 26ha of reserve land with the purpose of sports and showgrounds.
The Gabba, with 50,000 capacity, will be the hub of the 2032 Brisbane games with athletic events held there and events will be held at Stadium Australia in Sydney and the MCG in Melbourne.
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Originally published as Barlow Park revamp revealed ahead of 2032 Olympic Games
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