First stage of Barlow Park upgrade to pave the way for night game broadcasts

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The push for a new rectangular stadium in Cairns has been placed on the backburner as the State Government moves ahead with an upgrade of Barlow Park.

Broadcast television lighting will be installed as the first stage of the park's improvements to cater for preliminary football matches at the 2032 Olympic Games.

$4-million was set aside for the lights in the 2022-23 Queensland budget and the government is now working with Cairns Regional Council to get the work underway.

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“We know when Cairns hosts big sporting events, they bring extra visitors who contribute to the city’s tourism economy,” said Member for Cairns and Assistant Tourism Minister Michael Healy.

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“In a tropical climate like the Far North’s, night-time games are cooler and more comfortable for elite athletes and spectators.

“We know once installed, new lighting will position Cairns to host more world-class sporting events from NRL to athletics and training camps.

“More high-quality sport broadcasts live from Cairns to the nation has great potential to kick goals for growing and diversifying our visitor economy.”

The Council has estimated it will cost $10-million for both the lighting and a modernisation of audio visual facilities.

Further upgrades at Barlow Park will expand capacity to 20,000 spectators, which will include temporary seating.

Currently, capacity is around 15,000 when you include the hill areas.

Cairns Mayor Bob Manning has welcomed the first step.

“Meeting broadcasting standards provides more opportunities to chase premier sporting fixtures and adds to the city’s growing reputation as a major events destination,” he said.

“Every time we hold such events, it provides a boost to the local economy and is another chance to showcase our city and its many attributes across the State, the nation and the globe."