Lighting upgrades at Barlow Park to ensure the facility meets television broadcast standards will start in September.
The $10 million project will increase the lighting capacity from 500 lux to broadcast standard and includes plans for installation of a large video screen for scoring and replays.
At today's Council meeting, i-LEC Group Pty Ltd was awarded the tender to install the broadcast quality lighting at the multi-sport facility.
Cairns Mayor Bob Manning said the upgrades would pave the way for more elite level rugby league, rugby union and football matches, as well as track and field events, to be held at the venue.
"Barlow Park is Cairns' premier multi-purpose sporting facility and has hosted top level rugby league on many occasions, including the recent South Sydney Rabbitohs v St George Dragons NRL premiership match," Cr Manning said.
"However, we are currently limited to afternoon timeslots due to the venue not meeting digital television broadcast standards, which these upgrades will resolve.
"With our tropical climate, having the capacity to host night matches will make it more attractive for broadcasters, increase comfort for players and spectators, and therefore boost the city's prospects of hosting top level football matches.
"Cairns is already well known as a tourism sports destination, and this will only enhance that reputation.
"Bringing big sporting events to the city has the potential to contribute millions of dollars to the economy annually and support jobs."
The Queensland Government has provided $4 million funding to assist with the upgrade, as part of their commitment to improving sports facilities and infrastructure throughout the state.
Council has applied for Federal funding to support delivery of the video screen.
The enhancements are expected to draw international athletics teams to Cairns for pre-Games training on the track, and will help prepare Barlow Park for its role in hosting preliminary football rounds at Brisbane 2032.
Minister for Tourism, Innovation and Sport and Minister Assisting the Premier on Olympics and Paralympics Sport and Engagement, Stirling Hinchliffe, said: "Investing in sporting facilities across Queensland is an essential part of Brisbane's 2032 Legacy.
"Barlow Park already meets International Olympic Committee requirements, so the work being undertaken aims to maximise ticketing potential, broadcast exposure and game-day experience for fans.
"We are now nine years away from Brisbane 2032, which means global exposure for metro and regional centres across Queensland, including Cairns, is increasing.
"The upgrades to Barlow Park will make Far-North Queensland an attractive destination for world-class events, carnivals, training camps and rugby league, rugby union and football games."
Member for Cairns and Assistant Tourism Minister Michael Healy said: "Barlow Park's broadcast-quality lighting and big screen upgrade is part of an important early legacy for Tropical North Queensland from the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
"This upgrade, backed by the Palaszczuk Government, will support a dozen construction jobs and many more in the Tropical North's visitor economy in the years ahead.
"In addition to enhancing the gameday experience for fans, Barlow Park's transformation puts Tropical North Queensland on the map for more world-class sporting content.
"We know quality sporting events bring extra opportunities for tourism operators to share our great Queensland lifestyle and grow more good local jobs in the visitor economy."
