DAYS TO REMEMBER
FOR more than 20 years it has been North Queensland’s ‘theatre of dreams’.
Thousands of local footy fans and families have experienced and shared countless experiences there that will last a lifetime, and for many locals it might seem impossible to think that there was ever a time that 1300SMILES Stadium was nothing more than a racing ground.
But it was only the dogged determination of the club’s early founders, and the more than 80 people or companies who donated time and equipment, that turned the Willows Sporting Complex into the muchloved stadium it has become.
As the Cowboys prepare to play their last game on the iconic venue, many fans, organisers and players will look back fondly on the memories that have been formed on the turf at 1300SMILES Stadium.
The politics, intrigue and obstacles that lay between the initial drive of a North Queensland NRL team to its eventual acceptance in 1992 would fit perfectly into a Machiavellian novel, and without that organisation and determination the Cowboys would never have got off the ground.
But the reality that Townsville would be hosting a first-grade team really hit home in 1994 when the first sods were turned at The Willows site, with the main work being to remove the elevated trotting track and create earth mounds for spectators on the north, south and eastern stands.
The site already had a 750-seat grandstand, bars, restaurant and two Cowboys Steven Tillett (left) and Martin Bella help groundsman Andrew Whittington. basic changerooms, among other must-have facilities.
Led by Cowboys director Joe Goicoechea, who was held in high regard within the building industry through his Mendi Construction company, the building effort featured strong community support.
More than 80 people and companies donated time or equipment to give the Cowboys a home. Donations included turf, earthmoving, laser levelling, landscaping and equipment hire.
Players were even famously involved in construction, with the inaugural squad and its staff including coach Grant Bell and CEO Kerry Boustead working on the new hills.
They laid 12,000 square metres of turf and several players also did labouring work during construction.
Inaugural Cowboys captain Laurie Spina remembers those days well.
“There wasn’t huge money and so many people had to do things they didn’t get paid for. I remember building the field, there was a lot of people who helped out with their generosmany ity,” he said. “We even put a bit of time in as players on the hill there with the grass. And that first night the rain came down and the grass was sliding down, but it was certainly a big occasion.
“I don’t know if the players would do that now. They’d kick up a stink, but we knew it was something special.
“Belly (coach Grant Bell) got us in for a few trainings to help lay the turf with the other boys who worked at the ground.
“We wanted to help out as much as possible. There wasn’t huge finances that the club could grab so we helped out when we could.”
A grandstand had to be added on the already existing facilities on the eastern side of the stadium as well, leading to Goicoechea calling on rising local businessman Laurence Lancini to assist.
The new stadium, named Stockland Stadium, was completed with literally hours to spare before the first home game against the Bulldogs on March 9, 1995.
“We started in October and were still fitting the seats the day of the game, and basically sweeping it out as people were walking through the gates,” Lancini recalled.
“We got a lot of rain the night before and we worked through the rain to finish things.
“I’ll always remember that day. There wasn’t enough money left to build footpaths, so there was just a quagmire at some of the gates.
“We got loads of crusher dust in so people weren’t walking through the mud. But it was just a fabulous night.
“The stadium was full, it was brilliant.”
Bell, who was there helping lay out the stadium turf and doing other jobs, said the days of working on the stadium as a team would always be a cherished memory.
“I don’t think any stadium has been built that way in the modern era,” he said.
“It involved the community and the players, and they helped construct what is a fantastic stadium.
“A lot of people will have a fair bit of sadness on what we will be leaving behind.
“The first game was an amazing night and I can still picture the excitement and enthusiasm of the people at the time.
“The first Cowboys and Broncos game was another special moment, as was the first home game win against Western Suburbs.”
The stadium was renamed Malanda Stadium in 1998, and then Dairy Farmers Stadium after Malanda Milk was purchased by Dairy Farmers, before becoming 1300SMILES Stadium in 2013.
In 2005 the eastern terraces were extended, a new replay screen invested and the lighting facilities were upgraded for night time broadcasts.
The following year saw the eastern, northern and southern grandstands upgraded with extra seating and the eastern terrace was extended taking over the eastern hill.
“History is important, but progress is equally important,” Bell said.
“I’m sure the new stadium will be amazing. I just hope it embraces the old stadium and acknowledges what it meant to our community.”
Spina, who also watched his son Ben take to the paddock at 1300SMILES Stadium as a Cowboys player, said 1300SMILES Stadium would always hold a special place in his heart.
“It is a tinge of sadness because it was built for the people from here. A lot of people put a lot of their hard work into that stadium,” he said.
“I haven’t really had a good look at the new stadium.
“Hopefully it’ll be nice and everyone will be comfortable, but there is a tinge of sadness saying goodbye to the other one after 25 years.”