Work to start on $6m futsal complex
CAIRNS is likely to have a $6 million international standard futsal (indoor soccer) stadium next year.
The stadium will be built at Redlynch following agreement by the Cairns Regional Council to allow commercial facilities - including a tavern and fast-food outlets - to be built at the same time.
In November the project put forward by Charlie and Joe Marino and their companies C20 and Jored Holdings was in doubt after the council imposed a condition that the six-court stadium be built before the commercial aspects of Redlynch Central Sports.
Charlie Marino argued at the time that for the project to be viable, the commercial part of the development needed to be built first to give a cash flow for the sport stadium project.
Last week, the council agreed to allow the restaurants and tavern to be started before the stadium, but they all have to be stage 1 of the development.
Mr Marino said while he accepted the condition, it still imposed a heavy impost to organise the finance to build both components at the one time.
"We are now looking to move ahead with the project," Mr Marino said.
"Civil engineering works will start this year and the likelihood is some of the commercial aspect will also be started.
"The futsal stadium will be ready next year," he confidently said.
Design work was continuing on the stadium which will feature four open-sided courts designed specifically for the region's weather conditions.
There are more than 2000 registered futsal players in Far North Queensland, 1500 of them in Cairns.
Despite its growth, the sport has been held back by a lack of facilities, being forced to share courts with established basketball, netball and volleyball competitions.
The establishment of the stadium had the potential to see Cairns become a national centre for the sport as a venue for regional, state and international tournaments as well as a major training centre for national teams.
There was only one objection to the development proposal and time has now expired for an appeal to the Land and Environment Court.
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National attraction: An artist's impressions of the $6m indoor soccer centre, including a tavern and fast-food outlets, that will be built at Redlynch by next year.
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