https://www.townsvillebulletin.com....m/news-story/bed907b181963c72dfdbac11e92974d9
Townsville to expand NRL “game day” experience at new North Queensland Stadium
August 08, 2018
FOOD trucks, light entertainment and other family-friendly activities could be set up around the North Queensland Stadium precinct as part of a plan to expand the “game day” experience.
A group of Townsville CBD leaders is collaborating to develop a range of pre and post-game activities for NRL fans to enjoy once the new North Queensland Stadium opens in the heart of the city.
The North Queensland Stadium Activation Working Group includes owner of Jam Corner, Matt Merrin, who said there were a number of ideas to engage visitors who will be travelling to the CBD for games.
“Venues such as the Palmer St precinct and City Lane are located within easy walking distance from the North Queensland Stadium and we want to provide patrons with the opportunity to enjoy a great meal, a night of entertainment that includes going to the stadium for an event,” he said.
The chairman of the working group, Townsville MP Scott Stewart, said the activities and entertainment would be designed to appeal to a range of visitors, from young families to die-hard North Queensland Cowboys fans.
“Anyone who comes to events at the new stadium, we’re looking at what we have to do to encourage them to spend some time in the city beforehand or go to the particular event and then come back into the CBD area,” Mr Stewart said.
“We’ve got to put into place opportunities for people to hang around to engage in entertainment, to engage in food. It could be pop-up food vans in various locations.
“We’ve got to have a variety (of options) in what we do and make it very affordable, particularly for young families who might be on a strict budget.”
Mr Stewart said the group was considering holding an open day once the stadium was complete so people could visit it and gain an understanding of how the new system would work.
“What currently happens is people get into their car, they drive to the stadium, they get out and watch the game or event, get back in the car and drive home,” he said.
“You won’t be able to do this at the new stadium because there’ll be no onsite parking.
“An open day would encourage people from the community to come in, get used to that transport system, know where the buses are going to terminate, find out where their seats are for the Cowboys games, check out all the facilities, way before the actual event starts.”
Mr Stewart said North Queenslanders should think about turning an event or game day into a “whole experience”.
The North Queensland Stadium is due to be completed ahead of the 2020 NRL season and will have the capacity to seat 25,000.
In “concert mode” the stadium will be able to accommodate 40,000 people.
