Entsch ready to get behind stadium bid

MAYOR Bob Manning’s push for Cairns and Papua New Guinea to make a bid for a joint NRL team is giving impetus for the city’s first rectangular stadium.

Cairns regional councillors were caught by surprise this week when Cr Manning told media about an upcoming meeting with NRL CEO Todd Greenberg and ARLC chairman Peter Beattie.

He was coy yesterday about whether the potential sporting franchise would be the catalyst Cairns needed to get a stadium.

“We’ll see what happens,” he said.

Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch was less discreet, saying the council should earmark a site for its long-desired sporting area so the Federal Government could fund it.

“I’m very encouraged by Bob’s enthusiasm and more than happy to work with him 100 per cent,” he said.

“I’m hoping this could accelerate a decision in council.

“Townsville got $100 million for their second stadium.

“If they can afford to have two, surely we can have one.

“The only thing stopping us from going for this haven’t got a location.”

The Cairns Showground has long been touted as a possible site for sporting development, but the Cairns Show Society’s reluctance to shift their operations to Cannon Park Racecourse has proven an obstacle..

Mr Entsch said that Barlow Park was not a suitable option either. is we

“It is going to be a great asset for us as an athletics stadium and we can still do spillover games there,” he said.

“But we need a dedicated stadium.

“It’s absolutely critical we get a stadium up here as we realise the vision of becoming the fourth tropical athlete conditioning centre in the world behind Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.”