STEP UP OUR GAME
Clubs form winning team to make suburban park a super sports precinct
A SUBURBAN park is shaping up to be the next big sporting precinct in Cairns.
Stakeholders involved with Griffiths Park at Manunda are working on a redevelopment plan with the aim of luring AFL and elite cricket clubs.
A $2.3 million lighting upgrade is under way while designs have been revealed for a grandstand and second-storey viewing platform.
Cairns Cricket Association, United Cricket Club, Norths Cricket Club and Cairns Saints AFL club believe the new grandstand would make Griffiths Park a perfect secondary option to host pre-season training for AFL clubs and even Sheffield Shield games in cricket.
Cairns Cricket Association Peter Huey said in the next six to 12 months it was hoped to secure the funding to move forward with the concept so the organisation could bring high level games to FNQ like the BBL and WBBL.
A HANDFUL of local sporting clubs and associations are working together to develop Griffiths Park into one of Cairns’ premier venues with an eye to attracting AFL and elite cricket clubs.
Work has started on the redevelopment of the Griffiths Park precinct, with construction now under way on a significant lighting upgrade.
But local stakeholders want to take the venue to the next level by building a grandstand and second-storey viewing platform.
While the plans have been bubbling away for about five years, they have accelerated in recent months, with Cairns Cricket Association, United Cricket Club, Norths Cricket Club and Cairns Saints AFL club working together to develop concept drawings.
Instead of relying on Cazalys Stadium for elite AFL and cricket games when they do come to FNQ, stakeholders believe the new grandstand would make Griffiths Park a perfect secondary option to host pre-season training for AFL clubs and even Sheffield Shield games in cricket.
All stakeholders will now look towards the regional council and the State Government to help fund the project.
Local cricket officials are hopeful of being able to complete the project for about $2.5m, sourced from different levels of government as well as Queensland Cricket and other opportunities.
There has already been half of the needed cash committed to the proposed grandstand with just under $1m required, which is hoped to be secured in the lead up to the October state election.
The concept drawings, created by Develop North, are now being shared with the user bodies of Griffiths Park and a committee has been formed to secure the funding.
Cairns Cricket Association president Peter Huey is hopeful that Griffiths Park will become attractive from a multisport perspective to land the relevant funding needed.
“It still has a little way to go. I hope we can get funding because it is a very good concept, not just for cricket and footy, but other sports too,” Mr Huey said.
“We have come a long way. I think we have been on this project for around five years now.
“We are hoping in the next six to 12 months we will be able to secure the funding to continue going forward with the concept, as it will give cricket another opportunity to bring high level games to FNQ.
“The upcoming state election comes at a good time for us; we can lobby hard for that funding.”
Mayor Bob Manning said the council had put aside significant funding in its capital works program to contribute to the development of Griffiths Park but would not comment specifically on the potential of a grandstand being included in future works.
“Council is committed to this project and is working on aspirational plans in collaboration with stakeholders, such as Cairns Cricket Association, United Cricket Club, Norths Cricket Club and Cairns Saints AFL, to ensure this project has the backing of the community and is used to its full potential,” Cr Manning said.
“Council will also look at additional funding to support future capital works.
“There is still a lot of work to be done.
“The successful redevelopment of Griffiths Park will depend on support from stakeholders, as well as assistance from state and federal governments.”
Saints president Craig Hards said the grandstand would be an asset to many local sporting clubs and leagues.
“We will both be putting in for grants to get it done, but from all my conversations, everyone is confident money should be able to be secured,” Mr Hards said.
“It is all very exciting for us as a club.”
In the proposed plans, the grandstand would be built over the existing changerooms at Griffiths Park and help land AFL training camps as well as BBL, WBBL and Shield games.
The local cricket officials have long pushed for the project, with AFL Cairns and Saints recently brought into the fold.
Local officials hope to have the grandstand built within the next two years.
I HOPE WE CAN GET FUNDING BECAUSE IT IS A VERY GOOD CONCEPT, NOT JUST FOR CRICKET AND FOOTY, BUT OTHER SPORTS TOO
CAIRNS CRICKET ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT PETER HUEY