It had been decades since Rockhampton had hosted a major football (soccer) tournament and the organisers were waiting for the influx of 1000+ players, parents and siblings to the new grounds and facilities on Yeppoon Road. Dedicated change rooms for the female teams were certainly appreciated by the local players, as were the small seating stands around each of the fields for the spectators, now no longer a BYOC (bring your own chair) affair. With the neighbouring netball committee also using the school holiday period to hold their state carnival the Rockhampton economy was in for almighty sugar hit. Accommodation was booked out across town and down to the coast. Even the CQUniversity residential college was fully booked by early birds liking the idea of tree flanked walk to the playing fields and courts. Occupying prime land on the corner of the by-pass, flood damage was now a memory of the past for the football and netball committees. Here was a city making a statement, proudly putting sport front and centre in its resident attraction and retention strategy, as well as recognition of sport as an important economic driver and enhances the well-being of the community.
Rockhampton – the State’s Sports Capital
This future scenario was motivated by an email received last week concerning Rockhampton’s possibility of becoming the states sports capital. Or more correctly how Rockhampton should be the magnet for major junior sporting carnivals like it once was. Its location, accessibility, affordability and climate being major benefits. Missing was facilities! The writer is a football (soccer) supporter and detailed how Rockhampton is missing out on major (as in 1000 plus players, parents, siblings) football carnivals due to the poor facilities at Norbridge Park. Flood prone land cleared back in the 1970’s, it solved the problem at that time of providing the number of fields needed to hold all the junior soccer matches on a Saturday. (They used to hold matches at the Rockhampton Cricket Grounds). Floods though causing major clean up and restoration issues for the relevant committees. Not just the fields, but at times the club house as well. A club house that has relatively remain unchanged since built. Containing change rooms that are apparently deemed unsatisfactory for state tournaments. Netball, another major participant sport, also has a flood problem with its location at Jardine Park. As have numerous other sporting codes, clubs and parks, affected by problems associated with being built on land deemed unsuitable for residential development.
Now is the time to seriously plan
As we get closer to hitting the post covid-19 reset button, it is time to consider what economic drivers and community enhancers need attention and start addressing them?
The CQUniversity is currently going through its own major financial issues (like every other Australian university) with the current restrictions placed on overseas students, creating a huge dent in this and possibly next years forecasted revenue. Which could make now the time to start talking to the CQUniversity about their substantial unused land holding at their North Rockhampton campus? With the view of developing the land fronting Yeppoon Road into a major inter-sport complex, complimenting and improving on the University’s existing sporting assets, including the indoor Community Sports Centre.
What do you think?
There will be a state election in October this year. I suspect, despite the huge debt, substantial promises will be made to secure the seat of Keppel and lesser degree Rockhampton. A plan that addressed the future needs of two of Rockhampton’s highest participation sports and the economic impact of having state leading facilities for them could be of particular interest to voters and the candidates. What do you think?