Sport
29 March, 2026
Park design now underway
THE much-anticipated plan to upgrade Barlow Park in preparation for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games was locked in this week, with works predicted to begin at the end of this year’s football season.
Under the changes, a new grandstand will increase seating from 1700 to 5000, visitors will have more shade and weather protection, there will be more food and drink service areas and better facilities for athletes and administration.
The state government announced it had appointed Queensland-based Architectus as principal architect for the upgrade after a six-month selection process.
The company has worked on a range of major projects, including the Queensland Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) in Brisbane, and will collaborate with international sports architecture specialist HKS, the government said in a statement.
The Barlow Park Stadium upgrade is part of the $7.1 billion Venues Infrastructure Program jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments.
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,” she said.
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,” he said.
“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.”
