Mackay Stadium upgrade on the agenda
BB Print Stadium could be redeveloped into a 15,000-capacity stadium if ambitious plans for a $80 million sports precinct in Mackay get the go-ahead.
The regional Queensland city wants to upgrade its sporting facilities to be a frontrunner in securing state, national and global events that will inject millions into the economy.
At the heart of the proposal is upgrading the region’s premier rectangular sports venue, commercially known as BB Print Stadium.
The 12,000-capacity stadium, which opened in 2011, has hosted four NRL games for premiership points, and will stage its third game of the 2021 season on Thursday, one of many relocated this year due to Covid.
It has also been locked in to host both NRL semi finals this year, while it has also hosted major concerts in the past including Elton John and KISS.
The concept plans released by the Mackay Regional Council include extending the existing grandstand with seating for an additional 1300 spectators, building a new grandstand on the eastern hill and improved parking facilities.
The new grandstand would include a viewing deck onto two community rugby league fields behind it, that would be upgraded and moved closer to the stand, while there would also be a clubhouse, high performance gyms and vastly improved facilities, particularly for female players.
Other improvements include new broadcasting facilities for when Mackay hosts televised games and an enhanced entrance to welcome people into the stadium.
The South Mackay Sporting Precinct Management Plan is still in the very early stages. Rough estimates put the entire plan at the $80 million mark, with the bulk of that going towards the BB Print stadium upgrade, which has already gone through the consultancy stage and is expected to go back before the council.
If the masterplan is adopted, the next step is to develop a detailed design, which is needed for the council to seek government funding.
“It’s not just a wishful stake in the ground. There are great returns for our community to do this and do it right,” Mayor Greg Williamson told the Daily Mercury.
“Because I can tell you everybody up and down the eastern seaboard of Australia is out to steal our lunch.
“And we’re all competing so to be at the top of the tree … in terms of competition you’ve got to have great facilities. That’s what we’re looking for.”
Facilities at the nearby Great Barrier Reef Arena at Harrop Park are also set to be improved, with $20 million in government funding to drive a multi-million-dollar redevelopment of the venue to attract more major events to Mackay.
The venue, which has hosted WBBL, AFLW and pre-season AFL matches, will host three women’s ODI’s between Australia and India next month after Cricket Australia announced today that the series had been relocated from Sydney due to Covid.
