A $91 million upgrade of Cairns’ Barlow Park is set to support the region to attract more major events and ensure that Cairns will play its part in the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Australian and Queensland governments have jointly allocated funding from the $1.87 billion Minor Venues Program for the upgrade and procurement for the project will commence shortly.
The upgrade will see the current 1,700-seat West Stand rebuilt and its capacity more than doubled to 3,500 permanent seats, with an additional 1,500 retractable seats for use over the existing athletics track.
During the Games, the venue will be able to host football preliminaries with the addition of around 15,000 temporary seats bringing total capacity to 20,000.
Spectators will enjoy improved visibility and amenities, with the upgrade including space for food and beverage outlets and a function room, and incorporating best practice sustainability and accessibility standards.
The upgrade will also deliver better access to onsite amenities for athletes and players, including equitable access for female players and referees thanks to an increase in the number of changing facilities.
The project will support an average of 77 full-time equivalent jobs across each year of construction as well as further employment opportunities to support the venue’s ongoing operations and maintenance.
The tender process for the Managing Contractor will commence shortly. Appointment of the successful Managing Contractor is expected in late 2024, allowing works to begin in late 2025 and finish in 2028.
The Australian and Queensland governments have committed to sourcing at least 30 per cent of procurement from Queensland small and medium-sized enterprises for the Minor Venues Program, as well as targets for 10-15 per cent of all the hours on the projects to be undertaken by apprentices or trainees – helping to deliver the pipeline of construction workers the growing state needs.
