Sports lighting at Rockhampton’s Kettle Park to deliver increased opportunities

New lighting is to be installed at Rockhampton’s Kettle Park sporting fields to cater for the region’s growing sporting community and to ease the predicament of a shortage in lit rectangular sporting fields. 

The Kettle Park lighting project is a collaborative effort between Council, The Cathedral College and Queensland Rugby League.

Rockhampton Regional Council secured $250,000 under the Queensland Government’s Minor Infrastructure Program for LED Lighting.

Queensland Rugby League Central Region Manager Rob Crow said the recent funding announcement from the Queensland Department of Tourism, Innovation & Sport to provide lighting at Kettle Park is a great example of regional collaboration.

Crow advised “with the imminent closure of Browne Park to be upgraded to stadium level, it highlighted a shortfall for lit rectangular sporting fields in Rockhampton for teams to train and play, and this project will certainly ease this predicament.”

Rockhampton Parks, Sport and Public Spaces Councillor Cherie Rutherford said the lighting will be a game-changer for local sports, commenting “we’re extremely grateful to receive funding from the State Government.

"As a strong sporting community, it will not only cater to the pressing need for well-lit sporting fields but also allow greater participation and create more opportunities for our local clubs with more night-time training and match play.”

The Cathedral College Principal Rob Alexander said the College is excited to partner with the Queensland Government, Rockhampton Regional Council and Queensland Rugby League to bring competition-level lighting of two fields at Kettle Park to fruition.

Alexander added “the College is the major partner in the $700,000 project to benefit both school and community sports groups.

“The College has an exceptionally inclusive approach to sporting groups and Kettle Park has played host to Soccer, Rugby League, Rugby Union, AFL, Cricket, Oz Tag, American Football, Athletics and Cross Country.

Works on the lighting infrastructure upgrade are due to commence in October this year, with an estimated completion date of February 2024.