Stakeholders look for Mackay Stadium upgrade

Set to host two games in the 2021 NRL Finals series as of next weekend, ambitious plans have been revealed for a $80 million sports precinct at Mackay’s BB Print Stadium.

Stakeholders in the central Queensland city have revealed plans for a 15,000-capacity stadium at the heart of a sporting precinct that it is hoped would secure state, national and global events and inject millions of dollars into the economy.

Central to the proposal is upgrading the region’s premier rectangular sports venue, commercially known as BB Print Stadium.

The 12,000-capacity stadium, which opened in 2011, has already hosted five NRL games this season as a result of fixtures relocated this year due to COVID and will host two games in the 2021 NRL Finals on successive days (Friday 17th and Saturday 18th September) next weekends.

Major concerts including Elton John and KISS have also been held at the venue.

The concept plans released by the Mackay Regional Council include extending the existing grandstand with seating for an additional 1300 spectators, building a new grandstand on the eastern hill and improved parking facilities.

The new grandstand would include a viewing deck onto two community rugby league fields behind it, that would be upgraded and moved closer to the stand, while there would also be a clubhouse, high performance gyms and vastly improved facilities, particularly for female players.

Other improvements include new broadcasting facilities for when Mackay hosts televised games and an enhanced entrance to welcome people into the stadium.

The South Mackay Sporting Precinct Management Plan is still in the very early stages with rough estimates put the cost of the entire plan at the $80 million mark, with the bulk of that going towards the BB Print stadium upgrade, which has already gone through the consultancy stage and is expected to go back before the Council.

If the masterplan is adopted, the next step is to develop a detailed design, which is needed for the council to seek government funding.

Speaking to local newspaper the Daily Mercury, Mackay Mayor, Greg Williamson stated “it’s not just a wishful stake in the ground. There are great returns for our community to do this and do it right.

“Because I can tell you everybody up and down the eastern seaboard of Australia is out to steal our lunch.

“And we’re all competing so to be at the top of the tree … in terms of competition you’ve got to have great facilities. That’s what we’re looking for.”

Facilities at the nearby Great Barrier Reef Arena at Harrop Park are also set to be improved, with $20 million in funding to drive a multi-million-dollar redevelopment of the venue to attract more major events to Mackay.

The venue, which has hosted WBBL, AFLW and pre-season AFL matches, will host three women’s ODI’s between Australia and India after Cricket Australia relocated the games from Sydney due to COVID-19.

Images: Concepts for the upgrade of Mackay’s BB Print Stadium and surrounding precinct.