Strong crowd numbers revive calls for new Townsville stadium

Strong attendances for the North Queensland Cowboys during the recently completed 2014 NRL season have revived calls for a new stadium to be built in Townsville.

Crowd numbers were as high as 25,000 during the Cowboys’ finals series game against the Brisbane Broncos at the 1300SMILES Stadium (formerly Dairy Farmers Stadium).

However, local stakeholders, including Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill, have drawn attention to the ageing Stadium’s facilities as being below standard.

Mayor Hill is keen for the National Rugby League (NRL) to part fund a new stadium with the Queensland Government funding both the stadium and a combined entertainment centre part of the project.

Mayor Hill recently told the Townsville Bulletin “the reality is the entertainment centre is just as important as the stadium in terms of delivering events, concerts and functions that will help the Townsville economy “It needs to be an integrated sports stadium and entertainment centre to get the biggest benefit for Townsville.”

Earlier this year, the Australian Rugby League Commission - which oversees the NRL - announced that it would be prepared to invest in stadium upgrades using some of the proceeds of its massive $1.2 billion broadcast deal.

In addition, the NRL is believed to be in discussions with the Queensland Government a new stadium and how best to fund the project.

Cowboys Chief Executive Peter Jourdain said the NRL was an enthusiastic supporter of the stadium project, telling the Townsville Bulletin “we are extremely happy with the support that the game’s governing body is giving the stadium proposal.

“We have been told it’s in their top two infrastructure projects.”

Various proposals for a combined stadium and entertainment centre have been advanced in recent years, with the current proposal being for a 25,000 capacity stadium, with the potential for the capacity to be increased to 30,000; and indoor facilities capable of hosting entertainment or sporting events with crowds of up to 6,000.

Following a series of public asset sales, the Queensland Government has committed $150 million to the project, but the final cost is expected to be in excess of $300 million.

The proposed venue also includes a centre of sporting excellence for use by community groups.

Image shows an illustration of the planned stadium.