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SPORTS, ARTS, CULTURE & COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE 3 13 OCTOBER 2010
RECTANGULAR STADIUM STUDY
Ian Lowth: 10/2/1-24: #2749377
RECOMMENDATION:
• That Council approves the progression this financial year of a needs study for a major rectangular stadium for Cairns and;
• Conditional upon the need being proven, the undertaking of a local and regional economic impact study at strategic level, a site selection study, concept plan, development staging plan, capital cost plan, business plan and management plan for such a stadium.
INTRODUCTION:
Council has committed through its Corporate Plan to undertake a feasibility study into the need for a major rectangular sports stadium for Cairns. While this work has been tentatively scheduled for 2011-12, recent community debate around this topic has presented a case for the study to be brought forward into the current financial year.
BACKGROUND:
Council has over time committed to the development of Barlow Park as the major rectangular stadium for Cairns.
A report on the original Barlow Park Masterplan was considered at the Works & Services & Public Areas Committee on 26 April 2001 where the following was resolved:
1. That the recommendations of the Management and Masterplan be considered in line with the outcomes of a feasibility study and marketing plan; and 2. That Council approve the preparation of a feasibility study and a marketing plan with funding in the 2002-3 recurrent budget; and 3. That the community steering group be reconvened to assist in the preparation of a feasibility study and marketing report; and 4. That major steps in the process will be made by referral to Council; and 5. That the members of the Sport and Recreation Group be consulted on the feasibility study and marketing plan
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A Revised Masterplan was then developed to investigate requirements for attracting larger national and international events to Barlow Park. A report on the Revised Masterplan was considered by the Cairns Works Committee on 15 October 2002 and the following was resolved:
1. That Council endorse the revised order of priority and description of works for the Barlow Park Masterplan; and 2. That Council provide an in-principle commitment to progress the implementation of the Masterplan in a timely manner, subject to ongoing feasibility assessment outcomes and available funding.
At the Ordinary Meeting of 24 July 2003, following further feasibility planning, it was resolved that Council:
(a) endorse the findings of the Feasibility Study based on the Barlow Park Masterplans; and (b) resolve to progress the currently unfunded projects in option 2 of this study, subject to available funding in subsequent budget years.
A copy of the Executive Summary from this Feasibility Study is attached (document #610674 refers).
Since 2003 Council has progressed development of Barlow Park in line with the resolution and the attached report, with the facility now providing 1,703 seats in the western grandstand and a significantly enhanced eastern entrance, catering area, amenities block and viewing mound.
The athletics track has just been replaced and will have a serviceable life of 7 to 10 years. A substantial carpark upgrade is planned for 2011-12.
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COMMENT:
The major catalysts for undertaking further planning are twofold:
1. Feedback from various sections of the community that the quality of the viewing of sports played on the rectangular playing surface at Barlow Park is compromised by the presence of the athletics track; and 2. The absence of more extensive undercover seating and television broadcast standard lighting at Barlow Park is negatively impacting the community’s ability to attract national and international rugby league, rugby union and/or football (soccer) on a regular basis (and to secure our own teams in national competitions for these sports).
Furthermore, in the lead up to the recent Federal election, there were calls from some sections of the community for Cairns to have a 20,000 seat rectangular stadium in the near future. These calls have not necessarily focused on Barlow Park.
Contrary to this view, the recently completed TNQ Events Strategy concluded as follows: “With no national league football teams in Cairns, it would not be economically viable at this time to construct a new rectangular stadium.” Council and the Queensland Government “should consider progressively upgrading Barlow Park …. To ensure that it remains economically viable to host national soccer and rugby league pre-season matches or future national league competition fixtures.”
Scope of work
The work proposed will constitute:
an assessment of the need now and into the future for a dedicated rectangular stadium for Cairns the identification of the preferred site in Cairns to deliver on any proven need the identification of a concept plan for the identified end product an indicative plan for the delivery of a stadium (including detailing staged development if appropriate and identifying triggers for progression to each subsequent development stage) the identification of cost estimates for the capital works required the identification of a business plan for the operation of a stadium, accounting for any identified staged developments and identifying an appropriate management model.
The assessment will consider in detail the needs of each of the rugby codes, football and athletics. It would also take into account the two catalysts listed above. Sites to be considered will include Barlow Park and, with the owner’s consent, Jones Park. The latter is located off Mann St and is owned by the Cairns and District Junior Rugby League.
The preparation of the business plan for such a facility will draw heavily on the experiences of Stadiums Queensland. This State Government organisation currently operates the following major venues in Queensland: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane (rugby league, rugby union, football) The Gabba, Brisbane (Australian rules, cricket)
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Sleeman Sports Complex, Brisbane (Indoor soccer, basketball, swimming, cycling and a number of other sports) Brisbane Entertainment Centre (performing arts, indoor sports) Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre, Brisbane (athletics, volleyball, outdoor concerts) Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville (rugby league, football) Skilled Park, Gold Coast (rugby league, football) Gold Coast Stadium, Carrara (Australian rules) Queensland Tennis Centre, Brisbane
It is proposed that the work be undertaken by specialist consultants.
The specification for this work will require that documentation produced is of a quality sufficient to inform any infrastructure funding submissions by Council to the State and / or Federal Governments.
CONSIDERATIONS:
Corporate and Operational Plans:
This work is identified within Council’s Corporate Plan as a major initiative to be undertaken.
Statutory:
There are no statutory drivers for this work to be undertaken.
Policy:
There are no specific policy consideration at this stage other than the requirement to comply with the Procurement Policy in the appointment of the consultant.
Financial and Risk:
Funding for this work is available within the capital works scoping budget.
The results of this work potentially will be used to inform future capital works budgets submissions.
Sustainability:
The consultants will also be asked to consider “green” choices in identifying concept and business plans for the facility.
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CONSULTATION:
It is proposed that the following organisations be included in consultation around this work:
- Cairns District Rugby League - Queensland Rugby League - Cairns District Rugby Union - Queensland Rugby Union - Cairns Athletics - Athletics North Queensland - Cairns Show Association - AFL Cairns - FNQ Football (Soccer) - Football Queensland (Soccer) - Peninsula School Sport - Tourism Tropical North Queensland - Stadiums Queensland - Department of Communities (Sport and Recreation Services)
OPTIONS:
1. That Council approves progressing this work this financial year; or
2. That Council defers progressing this work until next financial year; or
3. That Council agrees not to undertake this work at all.
CONCLUSION:
It is recommended that Council approves the progression this financial year of a needs study for a major rectangular stadium for Cairns, and conditional upon the need being proven, the undertaking of a site selection study, concept plan, development staging plan, capital cost plan, business plan and management plan for such a stadium
ATTACHMENTS:
A copy of the Executive Summary from the 2003 Feasibility Study for Barlow Park is attached (document #610674 refers).
Ian Lowth General Manager Community, Sport & Cultural Services
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