- Design dream team appointed to shape the Barlow Park Stadium upgrade in Cairns for the 2032 Games and beyond, with work underway soon.
- Multi award-winning Architectus has partnered with international sports architecture specialist HKS – powerhouses behind Queensland Gallery of Modern Art, LA's SoFI Stadium and Perth's Optus Stadium.
- The upgrade will deliver a new grandstand, improved player amenities and accessibility, better equipment for athletes, and increase seating from 1,700 to 5,000, ensuring a lasting sporting and event legacy for Cairns.
- The Crisafulli Government is delivering legacy benefits for 2032 and beyond and delivering a Games for all of Queensland.
The Crisafulli Government is delivering legacy benefits for 2032 and beyond and delivering a Games for all of Queensland, with the vision for the Barlow Park Stadium upgrade in Cairns unveiled.
Athletes and sports fans in the Far North can look forward to a cool and shaded new-look Barlow Park Stadium, designed by an award-winning team boasting outstanding local, national, and international experience.
Architectus – one of Queensland's largest and most-diverse architectural studios – has been selected as Principal Architect for the upgrade after a rigorous six-month selection process.
The Crisafulli Government is getting on with the job, with the upgrade of Barlow Park Stadium back on track and work getting underway soon to deliver a new grandstand, improved player amenities and accessibility, better equipment for athletes and increased seating, ensuring a lasting sporting and entertainment legacy for Cairns.
The new grandstand will increase seating from 1,700 to 5,000 and provide better and more immersive views, as well improved shade protection specially tailored to the Far North's sun and tropical rain.
The stadium upgrade will also provide expanded food and drink offerings with improved circulation and service points, so sports fans don't miss the action while waiting in line.
Architectus has worked on a range of outstanding projects, including the iconic and award-winning Queensland Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) in Brisbane. They also completed the noted HMAS Cairns Redevelopment in Far North Queensland.
Architectus will collaborate with international sports architecture specialist HKS who are responsible for designing many of the world's most recognised and acclaimed stadiums including SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, AT&T Stadium in Dallas and Optus Stadium in Perth.
The Barlow Park Stadium upgrade is part of the $7.1 billion Games Venues Infrastructure Program jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments and will be delivered by GIICA.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said the upgraded stadium would deliver generational benefits.
"Regional areas of Australia are a key part of our nation's sporting fabric, and upgrades like this to Barlow Park Stadium will help develop and inspire our next generation of sporting heroes," Minister King said.
"A new grandstand with expanded capacity, and much-improved facilities for athletes and administration will provide an outstanding legacy for the Cairns community, benefitting the local schools and clubs who train and host their sporting carnivals on site, as well as our elite national sporting competitions."
Minister for Sport and Racing and the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tim Mander said upgrading Barlow Park was about delivering a Games for all Queenslanders.
"The Games are back on track with early works at Barlow Park Stadium to begin at the end of this year's footy season, and it will be a fantastic community asset for Cairns and the Far North during 2032 and beyond," Minister Mander said.
"The people of the Far North love their sport, and the upgraded Barlow Park will deliver generational infrastructure and benefits for competitors and fans alike."
Member for Leichhardt Matt Smith said 2032 would showcase Cairns on the world stage.
"This investment into regions like Cairns, help kids of today foster and grow their sporting skills right here at home.
"Things like good amenities, great fields and larger spaces like grandstands for families and community members to come and spectate help benefit not only those on the field but local schools and smaller clubs who can then go on to train and host their sporting events right here, in the same place where our elite national sporting events also come."
Member for Mulgrave Terry James said Barlow Park Stadium would be a sporting hub for 2032 and beyond.
"The Crisafulli Government's investment gives Far North Queensland a worldclass venue that reflects our region's passion for sport and creates new opportunities for local clubs, schools and families," Mr James said.
"As well as for events during the 2032 Games, Barlow Park will continue to host the gamut of football codes and remain the epicentre of Far North Queensland athletics."
Member for Barron River Bree James said the upgraded stadium would reflect and showcase the beautiful Far North.
"With the 2032 Games on the horizon, Cairns is ready to step onto the world stage," Ms James said.
"The revitalised Barlow Park will not only host iconic moments during the Games, it will also leave a lasting social and economic legacy for our region by being a major drawcard for major events as well as sports."
Cairns Regional Council Mayor Amy Eden said Cairns would become a destination of choice for national and international sporting and entertainment events.
"Cairns is really excited about the prospect of being part of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games and carrying the torch for regional Queensland," Ms Eden said
"We are a great sporting city and having an expanded grandstand capacity and a range of new amenities at Barlow Park Stadium will provide the Cairns community with a vibrant hub for sporting and entertainment events."
GIICA CEO Simon Crooks said Barlow Park would be a key venue for the 2032 Games.
"GIICA has made great strides with our delivery program and the Barlow Park Stadium project in Cairns is at the heart of our 17 new and upgraded venues," Mr Crooks said.
"Architectus is an outstanding Queensland company with a great track record of producing quality design across our state."
Architectus Group Director Communities Mark van den Enden said the grandstand design reflected the easy going, outdoor character of the Far North.
The upgraded stadium will be designed to capture cooling breezes and create shade while also delivering a great view from every seat," Mr van den Enden said.
"With its outstanding inner‑city location in one of Australia's most iconic destinations, a redeveloped Barlow Park can become a true home for local clubs and a hub for major sport and entertainment, creating lasting social and economic benefits for Cairns well beyond 2032."
