The $7.1 million Tully Multi-Use Sporting Complex project is taking shape, with construction having just kicked off on the project’s 600-capacity grandstand.
The multi-purpose sport and live-event facility, located at Tully Showgrounds, is considered a landmark project for Cassowary Coast.
According to Cassowary Coast Regional Council Mayor, John Kremastos, the previous facility had served the community well and was used by 19 different local community and sporting groups. However, the former building was getting tired and was due for replacement.
“The new facility will have extra features, facilities and space to help make the grandstand even more of a community hub,” he detailed.
“The complex will support live events, and sporting and major events. It’s a very exciting project for Tully, but the value of the project will be felt across the whole Cassowary Coast.”
The new facility will provide undercover seating for 600 people and will be built to exceed the National Rugby League standards for a regional facility – to future-proof the venue for sporting events.
“To meet those standards the facility needed to be of a sufficient size, have sufficient toilets, change facilities and so on,” Cr Kremastos said.
The complex had been two years in the planning and construction is now well underway.
Cr Kremastos said the speed of development of the project had surprised and silenced critics who had said the project could not be done by one Council within a single term.
“The Council did face a lot of scepticism that it would even be possible to dream about building a complex like this in one term.”
“There were doubts about whether we were committed to doing it, whether we had the ability to get the project up and running within one Council cycle,” he said.
“However we were successful with a $3 million grant from the Queensland Government and $3 million more from the Australian Government. Then the Council put in almost $1.1 million from its own budget, and the outcome will be worth every cent and more.”
Cr Kremastos recognised the very early financial contribution made by Tully Show Society, Tully Touch Football, Tully Rugby League and Tully Junior Rugby League.
“These organisations believed in the project well before we had secured state and federal funding, so that early leap of faith was appreciated and important – they helped give the project early momentum.”
Minister for State Development and Infrastructure, Cameron Dick, said it’s great to see Tully’s plans to revitalise sport and recreation in the region coming to life.
“The anticipation from the community is palpable, and these works will prove a great injection for the local economy, supporting 23 jobs during the construction phase.”
The project is being built by WIP QLD Pty Ltd and is scheduled for completion in July 2020.