Report gives tick to city-changing superstadium project
ANTHONY TEMPLETON TOWNSVILLE BULLETIN NOVEMBER 01, 2013 12:00AM
THE feasibility study into Townsville's combined superstadium and entertainment centre has recommended the project go ahead and be completed by 2020 to replace the city's ageing facilities currently in use.
The plans for the superstadium, to be built on the southern fringe of the CBD, include a 30,000-seat outdoor sports stadium and indoor facilities capable of hosting entertainment or sporting events with crowds of up to 6000 people.
The feasibility study, completed by international consultanting firm KPMG, found building a new superstadium and entertainment centre in the CBD to be better value for money than trying to repair the ageing 1300SMILES Stadium and the Townsville Entertainment and Convention Centre.
"The Feasibility Study recommends the development of an integrated stadium and entertainment centre (ISEC) in the Townsville CBD," a summary of the feasibility study said.
"(T)he facility is likely to be required by 2020."
The superstadium is expected to cost between $306.7 million and $315.5 million, depending on which South Townsville site is chosen as the location for the facility.
"Both the 'Southbank Railyards' (land owned by property development group Devine) and Dean St sites have equal capacity to make a strong and dynamic architectural statement with unique characteristics," the summary said.
The superstadium bid has had the support of local business and political heavyweights as well as Cowboys co-captain Johnathan Thurston, who said the need for the facility went past football.
Mayor Jenny Hill said the feasibility study proved the superstadium was vital to the economic future of Townsville.
"We don't need the stadium to be built tomorrow but we do need a commitment soon," Cr Hill said.
"Without it we risk losing our national sporting teams in the future, as well as missing out on international concerts and entertainment acts."
Townsville Enterprise chief executive David Kippin said the superstadium was a "must have" to keep the Crocodiles NBL club and the Cowboys NRL side.
"Without a solid commitment that Townsville will get a new stadium and entertainment centre by 2020 we could lose both the licences for the Crocs and the Cowboys," he said.
Sport and Recreation Minister Steve Dickson said the State Government must balance the need for new facilities against the cost.
"Our Government is committed to providing sport, recreational and tourism opportunities wherever possible, however the financial wellbeing of our state must remain our highest priority," he said.
"Any consideration of a State Government funding commitment to such a project could only begin to be discussed once the Newman Government has made much bigger steps toward reducing Labor's $81 billion black hole of debt."
The feasibility study found the superstadium needed to be wholly funded by government to ensure the project was completed.
Townsville City Council's response to the feasibility study will be released publicly today.
