LNP has punt on sports in north

SPORTING grounds north of the city have become election battlegrounds for the LNP with Barron River candidate Michael Trout lacing up to win votes in Smithfield.

Mr Trout will today announce a promise to share $2.25 million between the YMCA Marlin Coast Recreation Centre and Ivanhoes Rugby League Club.

He said the Smithfield Sporting Precinct, shared by the two organisations, was the lifeblood of the Northern Beaches and deserved a financial injection.

“They’ve had growing pains out there for a long time,” he said.

“As the only public recreation centre servicing the region, it can no longer meet demand.

“The LNP will work with council to extend the YMCA Marlin Coast Recreation Centre to accommodate gymnastics and other pursuits.

“The $2.25 million commitment will also include upgrading the area adjacent to Ivanhoes (Rugby League Club) to develop common ground for the overflow of little athletics and league.”

Mr Trout said Cairns Regional Council would match the funding dollar-for-dollar.

Mr Trout last week announced another council-matched guarantee to spend $1.5 million of new money on the burgeoning Redlynch Sporting Precinct.

Labor in September announced it would provide $3.4 million towards the project under the Works For Queensland program for landscaping, earthworks and a playground.

The State Government’s commitment, coupled with council’s corresponding input, is enough to complete the master plan’s first stage.

“This is for the next stage,” Mr Trout said. “It’s what council asked for and we’ve matched it dollar-for-dollar.

“We’ve got a real focus on sporting communities in the Northern Beaches.

“The population has been growing and growing but our facilities just haven’t been keeping abreast.”

Earlier this week, Mr Trout announced a LNP government would invest $300,000 into new lighting at the Cairns City Lions AFL Club at Holloways Beach, and $100,000 to build female changing rooms at the Marlin Coast Rangers Soccer Club.