Great Barrier Reef Arena redevelopment underway
Fresh off hosting three women’s one day internationals between Australia and India, construction has commenced on new facilities at the Mackay ground.
The official sod-turning event took place at Great Barrier Reef Arena on Monday, with the $24.2 million stage one development to include new additions to the arena as well as upgrading existing facilities.
A new two-level grandstand featuring undercover seating for 1800 spectators will be built at the northern end of the ground, as well as a plaza named after late Tim Mulherin for his contribution to the plans.
Facilities for elite players, match officials and broadcast TV crews will also be built, as well as room for an extra 10,000 fans. Work is expected to be complete by late 2022.
The regional Queensland ground, traditionally known as Harrop Park, hosted the three-game international women’s series after it was relocated from North Sydney Oval due to the ongoing lockdown in NSW. It has also hosted AFLW and pre-season AFL matches.
Early discussions surrounding stage two developments are already under way, with a gym and community sport training facilities expected.
Speaking at Monday’s ceremony, Harrup Park general manager Adrian Young said it was an exciting time to be a sports fan in Mackay.
“Once we’ve got the stage one developments in it’ll be so much easier for elite sporting teams, international or domestic, to come in and play games,” he said.
“It (the international cricket series) shows you what’s potentially available for us going forward.”
Stage one of the project is jointly funded by the Queensland Government ($10 million), Australian Government ($10 million) and Mackay Cricket Association ($4.2 million).
Mackay MP Julieanne Gilbert said, “these works will create an international standard sporting venue capable of hosting major national and international games and carnivals. The venue has just wrapped up three hugely successful women’s one day internationals between Australia and India, so imagine what we can do once the redevelopment is complete.”
It’s been a big two weeks for Mackay, with the nearby BB Print Stadium hosting both NRL semi-final’s last weekend in front of capacity crowds, with upgrade plans also revealed for the rectangular venue last month.
