Griffiths Park is lighting the way to a bright future for cricket and AFL in Cairns.
Member for Cairns Michael Healy said the Palaszczuk Government had invested $1 million in new field lighting, new recreation pathways, activity spaces and parking.
"The new competition lighting is part of a quality $5.1 million upgrade of Griffiths Park," Mr Healy said.
"Our Griffiths Park partnership with Cairns Regional Council is a good investment in the health of Far North Queenslanders with opportunities to be more active more often.
"The 500 lux lights on four 41-metre-tall towers will illuminate Griffiths Park for night time regional cricket competition and state-level AFL.
"Lighting and the stage one ground improvements make Griffiths Park the perfect venue for more sport and representative carnivals.
"Representative sport means more out-of-town competitors and spectators supporting the Cairns visitor economy.
"That's good news for sport and local tourism operators."
Upgrades to Griffiths Park were opened by Mr Healy and Cairns Mayor Bob Manning ahead of the Cairns District Cricket Association Grand Final.
There are new cricket practice wickets, white picket fences, a shed, plaza, landscaping and improved road access, designed for extra sport, recreation, and community groups to make greater use of the inner-city Manunda Sporting Precinct.
Installation of the new lighting and towers supported six full-time jobs with local company Haz-Elec.
The Palaszczuk Government contributed $1 million to the upgrade program in partnership with Cairns Regional Council and Queensland Cricket.
Sport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the opening of stage one of Griffiths Park followed the Government's delivery of female friendly changerooms.
"This upgrade ensures community sport continues to boom in Cairns and more women and girls have opportunities to get on a team and stay active," Mr Hinchliffe said.
"Venues designed to be used by multiple organisations, connect clubs with the community, and encourage more Far North Queenslanders to get involved.
"It's terrific to see Griffith Park becoming a magnificent community asset."
Cairns Mayor Bob Manning said Griffiths Park is now positioned as one of the premier sporting facilities in Cairns.
"This investment by Council, the State Government and the Cairns Cricket Association will benefit other sporting organisations in years to come as we are able to attract events to the region," Cr Manning said.
"Projects such as this show what can be achieved when different levels of government and community organisations work towards a common goal.
"These improvements are part of the first stage of a major upgrade of this facility; once complete it is anticipated this venue will attract games of a state and national level including international underage tournaments and Women's Big Bash League."
Cairns Cricket Association President Peter Huey said the refurbishments will make a big difference to more than 22 local teams.
"The lights mean we can play cricket at night when it's cooler," said Mr Huey.
"We could attract a Sheffield Shield game or Women's Test Match and put our hand up to host a tournament like the Queensland Country Nationals.
"We would be open to having any other entertainment events, markets or functions that would help raise money and keep sport going in the community.
"We are now hoping to secure funding for Stage 2 which would enable us to finally get our own clubrooms, built on top of the new amenities block."
Griffiths Park is home to the Cairns Cricket Association, United Cricket Club, Norths Cricket Club, Rovers Cricket Club and Cairns Saints AFL Club.
