LIGHTING upgrades at Cairns’ Barlow Park to ensure the facility meets television broadcast standards will start in September, allowing elite level rugby league, rugby union and football matches, as well as track and field events, to be held at the venue.
The $10 million project will increase the lighting capacity from 500 lux to broadcast standard and includes plans for installation of a large video screen for scoring and replays.
At Cairns Regional Council’s meeting recently, i-LEC Group Pty Ltd was awarded the tender to install the broadcast quality lighting at the multi-sport facility.
“Barlow Park is Cairns’ premier multi-purpose sporting facility and has hosted top level rugby league on many occasions, including the recent South Sydney Rabbitohs v St George Dragons NRL premiership match,” Cairns Mayor Bob Manning said.
“However, we are currently limited to afternoon timeslots due to the venue not meeting digital television broadcast standards, which these upgrades will resolve.
With our tropical climate, having the capacity to host night matches will make it more attractive for broadcasters, increase comfort for players and spectators, and therefore boost the city’s prospects of hosting top level football matches
Cairns Mayor Bob Manning
“Cairns is already well known as a tourism sports destination, and this will only enhance that reputation.”
The Queensland Government has provided $4 million funding to assist with the upgrade, as part of their commitment to improving sports facilities and infrastructure throughout the state and council has applied for federal funding to support delivery of the video screen.
The enhancements are expected to draw international athletics teams to Cairns for pre-Games training on the track and will help prepare Barlow Park for its role in hosting preliminary football rounds at Brisbane 2032.
Minister for Tourism, Innovation and Sport and Minister Assisting the Premier on Olympics and Paralympics Sport and Engagement, Stirling Hinchliffe, said investing in sporting facilities across Queensland is an essential part of Brisbane’s 2032 Legacy.
“Barlow Park already meets International Olympic Committee requirements, so the work being undertaken aims to maximise ticketing potential, broadcast exposure and game-day experience for fans,” he said.
We are now nine years away from Brisbane 2032, which means global exposure for metro and regional centres across Queensland, including Cairns, is increasing
“The upgrades to Barlow Park will make Far-North Queensland an attractive destination for world-class events, carnivals, training camps and rugby league, rugby union and football games.”
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