It’s time our stadium was opened up

THERE was good news for the North Queensland Cowboys, Townsville and especially struggling businesses in the CBD yesterday when Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced a plan to reopen stadiums.

Mr Morrison said stadiums that hold up to 40,000 fans would be able to host up to 25 per cent of their capacity.

That means the region’s brand new Queensland Country Bank Stadium will be able to host 6250 people.

The only downside is the specific timing of when stadiums will reopen to crowds will be up to the states.

In other words, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk will decide if Townsville can have people back in the stadium.

Yesterday, the tried to ask our local Labor MPS what they thought about the move.

They couldn’t, or wouldn’t, comment.

It seems a no-brainer – if any stadium deserves to be open now it is Queensland Country Bank.

Townsville is COVID-19 free – the region hasn’t had a case in months.

If 30,000 people can rally in Brisbane at a Black Lives Matter protest without issue, Queensland Country Bank Stadium should be opened immediately.

Every leader in Townsville should be behind this move, not sitting on their hands.

To have our stadium back up and running would be a huge boost for our economy and confidence.

It will allow more cafes and restaurants to open, help out struggling motels and inject cash into the city as well as give the Cowboys a cash boost.

The calls on the Premier to open the gates to the stadium for the Cowboys’ next home game.