Cairns’ Walker Road Sporting Complex gets official opening

Cairns’ latest sporting facilities have been put to the test this week at the official opening of Stage 2 and 3 of the Walker Road Sporting Complex in Edmonton.

Cairns Regional Council Mayor Bob Manning and Queensland Treasurer Curtis Pitt were joined by students from Isabella State School, junior sports stars and representatives from the sporting groups that will call Walker Road Sporting Complex.

The latest stages of the Walker Road Sporting Complex cost $6.65 million and included two rectangular fields, new lighting, a senior turf pitch for cricket, junior cricket field and a shared club house.  

Mayor Manning advised “this project has been carefully planned, from the early days of seeking out appropriate land, through to meeting with the sporting groups to ensure we meet the needs of the rapidly growing population within the southern corridor of Cairns.

“The result is not just a new sporting complex for residents, but a top-level district facility that is capable of hosting state-level events such as the Queensland Under 16 Baseball Championships which were hosted here recently.”

Cairns Councillor John Schilling said the Walker Road Sporting Complex had already hosted many carnivals and competitions, including the Great Barrier Reef Masters Games earlier in the year, adding “it is fantastic to have this facility completed for the summer sports season."

“Also, to have the rectangular fields online for the soccer season gives the Southside Comets a base for their 400-strong membership.

“It is important for Council to provide facilities for children and adults alike to play sport, by doing so we’re helping create a more active and healthier community.”

A Master Plan for the 20-hectare site was completed in 2013 and work started on site in August 2015.

Stage 1 of the Walker Road Sporting Complex, included baseball batting cages, dugouts, scoring boxes and a clubhouse, along with an access road, parking, field lighting and drainage, was completed in mid-2016.

The Queensland Government provided $1.5million to Cairns Regional Council for Stage 2 and 3 of the Walker Road Sporting Complex to enable Queenslanders to participate in sport and recreation activities.

Images: Local welcome the latest additions at the Walker Road Sporting Complex (top) and cricket at the Walker Road Sporting Complex (below).

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