Sports centre loan goal

TOWNSVILLE will soon have access to world-class training and sports medicine facilities with the final sign-off on a $20m Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF) loan to the North Queensland Cowboys.

The facility promises to be a major economic and jobs booster for the region.

Northern Australia Minister Keith Pitt said the loan was ready to reach financial close, meaning the club could draw on the funds from next week.

Mr Pitt said the Community, Training and High Performance Centre facility would also enable the region to attract athletes, teams and researchers to the tropical North.

James Cook University will operate a sports science and research facility out of the centre, with consulting and rehabilitation services planned.

“The new Community, Training and High-performance Centre will ensure the

Cowboys and other sports clubs in North Queensland will have access to the best possible facilities to help build on their sporting success,” Mr Pitt said.

“The centre is being built next to the Cowboys’ home stadium in Townsville. When completed in early 2021, it will include community areas, multi-sport high-performance training spaces, as well as sports medicine and sports science labs.

“Other athletes and sporting teams will also have access to the centre, including the Townsville Fire Women’s National Basketball League team and touring sporting teams.”

JCU Townsville Fire general manager Sam Pascoe said the club was still working with the Cowboys on how the team would be involved with the centre.

“We welcome the opportunity to support the Cowboys … and see the value in what the centre is capable of,” she said.

Herbert MP Phillip Thompson said the project was already delivering results for the Townsville economy.

“I had the opportunity to tour the construction site just a couple of weeks ago, and to see the number of workers really reinforced that this project is creating jobs at a time we need them most,” he said.

“It’s great that the NAIF loan, in conjunction with the federal government grant, has been able to help this plan come to fruition.”

Townsville-based Senator Susan Mcdonald said it was a great example of the NAIF delivering real benefits for the region.

“The Cowboys are a sporting icon for the North and this investment, supported by the NAIF, shows what a significant economic contributor they can also be for our region,” Ms McDonald said.

“The project is expected to support 213 jobs during construction and 58 jobs when the centre is operating.”