Sport a big funding winner



Monday 20 December 2010

Sport a big funding winner

 

The purchase of the Northern Pride League site at Mooroobool was endorsed  by Cairns Regional Council this week. Council will take possession of the Irene Street property, also home to the Kangaroo Rugby League Club for more than 50 years, which is comprised of a club house, car parking and playing fields.

Mayor Val Schier said the site will offer the community a safe social setting for sport and recreation. “This is an ideal site for football and provides for the future of sport in those surrounding suburbs.” 

Council also endorsed a $750,000 grant towards the upgrade of field lighting and the purchase of relocatable grandstand seating at Cazalys Stadium.

Cr Schier said that this will enable AFL Cairns to host Premiership matches and other major sporting and entertainment events. The lighting upgrade will make Cazalys the only broadcast ready sporting venue in Cairns.

“Cazalys Stadium has become an integral part of Cairns’ sporting infrastructure with all level of AFL football events from Auskick and Under 8’s, Under 12 and Under 14 Queensland Country Championships through to elite matches being played at the venue.”

In 2009 AFL Cairns hosted the National AFL Masters Carnival bringing 1000 players to Cazalys and the Cairns region. Both AFL and NRL games have hosted crowds of over 13,000 spectators.

“The venue has been much more than just an AFL venue.  Cairns became the only non-capital Australian city to host a Test cricket match as well as One Day International and domestic matches,” Cr Schier said.

The grant will also enable the purchase of additional relocatable grandstand seating which will be available for use at Cazalays as well as at other Cairns Regional Council facilities including the Cairns International Tennis Facility and Barlow Park.

This round of funding follows recent sporting initiatives which have included a $1 million guarantee for the Taipans, $1.1 million funding to the Cairns Hockey Association, and $6.2 million to complete the Cairns International Tennis Facility with the State Government and Tennis Queensland.

Also included is a commitment to increase sports in the region with a five year pledge to host the Cairns Challenge Ironman from June 2011, a three year promise to host the Cairns Tennis International Pro Tour, sponsorship of the 2011 BMX Australia National Championships and support of the Reds versus Crusaders game in January 2011.