MAKING THEIR MARK
Cazalys lines up $25m bid to build new 2200-seat grandstand
CAZALYS is setting the stage for the next step in the development of its signature stadium in Cairns by unveiling plans for another undercover grandstand.
The $25 million proposal will add another 2200 seats next to the current grandstand to total about 5000 seats.
The plan also involves a 250-seat function room with views over the field, new indoor airconditioned corporate suites with sit-down bars and outdoor seating and a covered loading bay and outside broadcasting compound.
The move is intended to cater for AFL, as well as cricket, A-League soccer, large concerts and NRL matches.
AFL Cairns has lodged a submission to the Federal Government for a slice of its Regional Growth Fund.
AFL Cairns boss Gary Young says there is a desperate need for more undercover seats.
“Whenever we have a larger event, the grandstand seats sell out immediately,” he said.
CAZALYS is vying to slot one clean between the posts in a $25 million bid for a new grandstand complete with corporate boxes and dedicated barbecue areas.
AFL Cairns has lodged a submission to the Federal Government for a slice of its Regional Growth Fund to build a 2200-seat grandstand, bringing the sports ground’s total undercover seating capacity to about 5000.
The facility proved its clout as a utility player for the whole region at last year’s Elton John concert, when 25,000 people packed the stadium on a warm September night.
AFL Cairns boss Gary Young says now is the time to expand – not just for Aussie rules, but also for cricket, ALeague soccer, large concerts and NRL matches.
“Whenever we have a larger event, the grandstand seats sell out immediately,” he said.
“It’s not just build it and hope they come. The evidence is certainly there in our bookings to say more undercover grandstand seating is needed.”
The new grandstand has long been part of the grounds’ overarching masterplan and its groundwork was completed when new change rooms were built eight years ago.
Footings and piles were put in the earth so the new seating could be built right on top.
“Depending on how the costing comes in, we would like to remove the roof of the current grandstand and put one continuous roof over the whole lot,” Mr Young said.
“At the moment, we’ve got three poles right in the middle of the viewing area and they tend to obstruct the view.”
The appetites of the modern, discerning sports spectator are always changing.
Lazing beneath the beating sun on a grassy knoll often does not cut it – sun-smart campaigns and liquor licensing crackdowns on beer smuggling have made sure of that.
The Cazalys plan includes luxury corporate boxes with their own barbecues and a bird’s-eye view of the field.
“Those things are becoming the norm,” Mr Young said.
AFL Cairns must compete with projects across Australia for a share of the $272.2 million funding package, alongside Cairns Regional Council’s bid for the $21 million Wangetti Trail and its $50 million CBD gallery precinct proposal.
The Commonwealth can provide up to half the cost with grants starting at $10 million.
AFL Cairns has money to chip in but will still need the council and State Government to come to the table.
“Cazalys has become a precinct for the city – it’s been adopted as the city’s oval sporting complex,” he said.
“It’s not just about AFL. It’s what we can provide for the city and the region.”
It would also bolster efforts to get more NRL games, or even a locally based team.
“It could provide a short to medium-term solution where we tilt the rectangular grounds closer to the grandstand,” Mr Young said.
“We do it in other parts of the world, where there’s rugby one night and AFL the next day,” he said. “With a bit of common sense on fixturing, you can get that conversion happening pretty quickly.”
Grants are expected to roll out in 2018-19 and all successful projects must be completed within four years.