Upgrade for Cazalys Stadium
Cazalys Stadium will receive an upgrade following a deal to play an AFL game at the Cairns venue in 2021, and more significant refurbishment could follow.
The upgrades for the 13,500-capacity venue will be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Cazalys will this year host the round 13 fixture between St Kilda and Adelaide Crows, due to the AFL unable to play the game in China. Last year, the venue ended up hosting four relocated games due to Covid-19.
Since 2011, it had played host to one AFL premiership game featuring the Gold Coast Suns per season until 2018. The game was moved to Townsville in 2019 and the AFL club has since signed a three-year deal to play it in Darwin.
AFL Cairns managing director Gary Young says refurbishments to Cazalys Stadium will be aimed toward landing sports and training camps if Brisbane is awarded the summer Olympic Games in 2032.
Last year, Young flagged AFL Cairns’ intentions to upgrade Cazalys Stadium if a long-term deal could be struck to play AFL games at the venue, however the one game confirmed for 2021 is enough to kick-start work.
AFL Cairns had previously announced plans and renders in 2018 for a $25 million redevelopment of Cazalys Stadium, including construction of a new 2200-seat grandstand to boost undercover seating to 5000.
If Brisbane is to land the Olympics in 2032, Young is keen for FNQ to host training camps and whatever possible sports are on offer.
While acknowledging most of the sports would be played in Southeast Queensland, Young is hopeful the north could play a part and “fit in where we can”.
“We need the facilities to do that leading potentially into the Games and hopefully we can provide that and fit in where we can,” he said.
