Business
5 March, 2024
Brothers start kicking goals
AN $11 million transformation of Brothers Cairns’ Manunda rugby league clubhouse and ground is paving the way forward for the sporting code.
Demolition of the 40-year-old clubhouse and facilities started last week at Stan Williams Park.
Club chairman Stephen Widt said the project had been on the books since 2019 but attempts to secure government funding had been unsuccessful.
He said the club was going it alone for stage one of the development using savings and loans.
Mr Widt said on the ground floor would be four changing rooms (doubling capacity), indoor and outdoor seating of about 500 seats, conference and meeting rooms, a gym, rooms for referees and first-aid as well as a bar and kitchen. Upstairs would also be a bar and kitchen and more viewing areas.
He said hopefully the second stage of about $6m, including more changing rooms, more lighting and seating, plus ground improvements, could be funded by government grants.
The club submitted an application for a $15m upgrade to the Federal Governments Growing Regions Program but was unsuccessful in obtaining any funds.
“It was hard at the time, but it strengthened our resolve to proceed. The project has had some items removed due to budgetary constraints, but we will continue to work hard with all stakeholders including government to continue to improve on what will be a first-rate facility for the football community at large including all the schools and various other sports that utilise our grounds,” Mr Widt said.
“We are a community club committed to using locals in Kier constructions and this project has such wider benefits at a time when Cairns is doing it tough,” he said.
Construction is expected to start early next month for completion in March next year.
Temporary facilities, including changing rooms and temporary lights for training, have been established on the Behan St grounds.
Keir Queensland Design and Construct are the main contractors.
Director Royce Slade said at the peak there would be 40 workers employed on site.
“We are engaging 15-20 local subbies,” he said.
Mr Slade said the firm had also involved sub-contractors who had a long association with Brothers.
Club stalwart Stan Williams, who spearheaded the original building opened in 1983, said it was “sad’ to see demolition start.
He said the original clubhouse and facilities cost $150,000 in materials with club members and volunteers, such as carpenters, tilers, plumbers, painters and roofers, providing their labour for free.
“It’s sad to see it being knocked down but it’s going to be really good (the new building),” Mr Williams said.
