Lighting and audiovisual upgrade ensures Cairns' Barlow Park meets standards for major events

A $10.9 million lighting and audiovisual upgrade for Cairns’ Barlow Park has boosted the city's ability to host elite level sport matches, entertainment, and community events for years to come.

The upgrade was completed in time for the NRL pre-season trial between the North Queensland Cowboys and the Dolphins on 14th February.

A collaborative effort between Council and the Queensland Government, the lighting upgrade is part of a broader plan to have Barlow Park ready to host preliminary football matches for the 2032 Brisbane Games.

The upgrade included the installation of four new lighting poles, each weighing about 20 tonnes and requiring three cranes to be lifted in place, with 92 LED lights fitted to each pole to provide a uniform 1400 lux level.

A new 13metre x 7.4 metre video screen has been installed as part of the project to allow for scoring and replays. The big screen, which is similar to the one in Townsville and the biggest at a sporting ground in the Far North, will enhance the experience for the crowd.

The Council provided $6.9 million for the upgrades, with $4 million from the Queensland Government through a Queensland Department of Tourism and Sport’s Priority Infrastructure Grant.

Cairns Mayor Amy Eden noted “this upgrade is a game-changer for sports tourism and events in Cairns, boosting the city's ability to host elite level matches, entertainment, and community events for years to come.

We’re on the brink of something truly exciting with the Barlow Park upgrades and it helps position the Cairns region as the leading destination for women’s sport in Australia.”

Queensland Minister for Sport and Racing and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Tim Mander added “Barlow Park is the beating heart of sport in Cairns, and these upgrades ensure it remains a first-class venue that can attract top-level sporting content.

“The lighting upgrades will not only ensure it is an even better facility for the community to use, but it also means Barlow Park can host televised professional sporting content with broadcast standard lighting.

“We will be able to bring more NRL, Super Rugby and A-League fixtures to Cairns.

“That experience will have a flow-on effect, encouraging and inspiring greater participation in sport within the community.”

No announcement was made as to whether the $91 million upgrade of the venue, announced last August in order to Cairns be part of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, will be seen through.

Image: Queensland Minister for Sport and Racing and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games  Tim Mander (centre) at the launch event for the new lighting.