Looks awesome,
the Townsville Bulletin leaked it early.
Dream becomes our reality
KIERAN ROONEY, Townsville Bulletin
an hour ago
The people of Townsville finally have their first glimpse of the long-awaited CBD stadium after more than five years of daring to dream.
Acting Premier Curtis Pitt will today unveil the winning concept for the $250 million city-defining project, an open and airy layout designed to make the most of the North Queensland climate and prime inner-city location.
Local architects 9Point9 are part of the Cox Architecture-led team chosen to deliver the design, which was inspired by the look of the tropical Pandanus tree.
The iconic roof will cover the tiered stands of the structure, tapering to an open air family-friendly grassed end that resembles the popular hill at 1300SMILES Stadium.
Facing out towards the CBD and Magnetic Island, the stadium design also includes an amphitheatre space where fans outside will be able to watch the game unfold while taking in the atmosphere.
Mr Pitt said the Townsville skyline would be transformed by the bold new addition.
“The Pandanus-inspired roof creates a suitably iconic shape for North Queensland but is also practical, covering 80 per cent of the stadium’s 25,000 seats and designed to resist cyclonic wind conditions,” he said.
“Cox Architecture’s genuine local input and partnership is in line with one of the Palaszczuk Government’s key objectives for this project – local jobs, business and training opportunities. Anybody who knows me knows I love the North Queensland Cowboys.
“Knowing the Cowboys’ new home is one step closer is great news for North Queensland.”
Unemployment in the region has hovered above 10 per cent after the collapse of Clive Palmer’s Queensland Nickel and growing disaffection with the major parties saw Labor topple the LNP in Herbert by just 37 votes.
But recent announcements for Adani’s Carmichael coal mine and Australia’s first City Deal have bolstered confidence that the region is turning its fortunes around.
“The stadium is expected to generate 750 jobs and this such an important catalytic piece of infrastructure for our city,” Mr Stewart said.
“Not only will it create those short-term jobs but it will unlock a wave of new confidence and investment in the region at a time when we need it most. Queenslanders are already spoiled for choice, and have some of the best sporting facilities in the world.
“We want this stadium to be world class. The stadium, along with the development of the Townsville Waterfront Priority Development Area will hopefully see footy fans and tourists flocking to our vibrant city.”
Mr Stewart said he had started a petition calling on the NRL to make the first game in the new stadium an all-Queensland affair, with the Cowboys playing the Broncos in Townsville to kick off the 2020 season.
“We want every tradie, every landscaper and every person who works on the stadium to come along on the first night with their families and feel proud to have built our stadium,” he said.
