First seat installed at new North Queensland Stadium

Townsville’s new North Queensland Stadium has reached a major milestone, with the installation of the first of its 25,000 world-class fit-for-purpose seats manufactured by Camatic Seating.

Visiting the stadium, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk commented that installing the first seats is an exciting moment and brings the project one step closer to being ready to host the Sir Elton John concert and the 2020 National Rugby League (NRL) Premiership Season next year.

Premier Palaszczuk advised “I can’t wait for the people of North Queensland and visitors to the region to be able to sit here in these seats and enjoy the sporting, cultural and community events that will be hosted in this world-class stadium.”

Managing contractor Watpac engaged Victorian-based Camatic Seating, known for providing seating solutions in high-profile stadia and arenas globally, having experience in supplying similar seating to major stadiums around the country like Robina, Rod Laver Arena and the MCG.

Camatic Seating’s Axiom Seating System is part of Camatic’s line of beam-mounted stadium seats, providing for faster and more flexible installation compared to traditional fixed seats. The Axiom series maximises venue capacity and combines the durability of a sturdy chair and comfortable design with an aesthetically pleasing product.

Offering a host of additional features and benefits, the Axiom System starts with an updated ergonomic profile and has adopted a more contemporary look.

Camatic Seating Engineering Manager Bruce Ansell noted “we’ve refined the beam the seat is mounted on to allow a quicker installation method. The profile of the beam has also been changed to make more efficient use of the material, which helps make the whole system more cost-effective for our clients.”

Camatic Seating Global Sales Director Shaun McPherson advised that when designing North Queensland Stadium, COX Architecture had a preference for a beam mounted seat.

McPherson stated "while other manufacturers put forward various options, the client liked the styling and aesthetics of the Axiom. At the same time, they felt it would be more durable than the other submissions. It was about both style and functionality.”

Queensland Minister for Housing and Public Works Mick de Brenni said the North Queensland Stadium was on track to be a world class venue, adding “just as the final match at 1300 Smiles was a nail biter, there’s going to be plenty of edge-of-your-seat action at the new stadium.

“We’ve made sure that quality is a priority using a UV-tested, marine-grade vinyl, to ensure the new seats withstand the test of time under the tropical sun.”

The seating design is being be fitted to pre-fabricated seating platforms manufactured in Townsville by local company Jackson Semler.

In concert mode the stadium can accommodate up to 40,000 patrons in the stands and on the field of play.

About 75% of the seating will be covered by the roof, with generous overhangs over the concourse and main entry.

The North Queensland Stadium project is a joint project of the Queensland Government, Australian Government and Townsville City Council and is supported by both the NRL and the North Queensland Cowboys.

The Stadium forms part of the Townsville City Deal signed in December 2016.

Click here to contact Camatic Seating via their entry in the Australasian Leisure Management Supplier Directory.