A New Bright Future For Bowen Sport

A major lighting upgrade at the Bowen Sporting Complex has been completed, paving the way for night games and future growth at one of the town’s key community hubs.

The project delivered brand-new field lighting that meets the standards required for day/night cricket matches, as well as enabling night events for rugby and other sports, giving local players and visiting teams greater flexibility and opportunities to train and compete after dark.

The upgrade was made possible through a $250,000 grant from the Queensland Government's Department of Sport, Racing, Olympic and Paralympic Games under the Minor Infrastructure and Inclusive Facilities (MIFF) Program, with Whitsunday Regional Council contributing an additional $350,000.

Member for Burdekin, Dale Last MP, said the upgrade would enable more sports to explore night-play options, which brought with it many benefits.

“These upgrades are a great boost for Bowen’s sporting community. As a shared facility, the new lighting is an investment that produces results for several sports and for hundreds of participants,” Mr Last said.

“The ability to play and train at night is a great boost from both a comfort and health point of view. In turn, there is the potential for those sports to grow player numbers.”

Mr Last said the project was a great example of local groups, councils and state government working cooperatively for a great outcome.

“The state government’s contribution to the lighting project was funded through the Minor Infrastructure and Inclusive Facilities Fund and it is a project that illustrates perfectly the goals of that fund,” he said.

“The local clubs, council and the state government have all contributed directly toward an upgrade that brings many benefits including reduced costs for the clubs by utilising modern lighting.

“I am immensely proud of the fact that our government recognises the specific challenges for sporting clubs in regional Queensland and supports those clubs with projects like this to make sport accessible and enjoyable for as many people as possible.”

Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Ry Collins said the project marked an exciting step toward transforming the precinct into a flagship destination for sport in the north.

“This lighting upgrade is more than just providing brighter fields, it’s a sign of what’s to come,” Mayor Collins said.

“We’re committed to working closely with the Bowen sporting clubs and their overarching masterplan to help deliver a multi-sport complex the entire region can be proud of.

“With a new clubhouse and improved parking and access highlighted as key future improvements in the masterplan this precinct is well on its way to becoming a hallmark venue with potential to host regional, state and even national competitions.”

Mayor Collins thanked the Queensland Government for its ongoing support of grassroots and regional sport, especially in the lead-up to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“This investment gives Bowen’s athletes the infrastructure they deserve and helps build a stronger pipeline for sporting participation across all ages and abilities,” he said.

Council will continue working with local stakeholders to help shape the next stage of upgrades, ensuring the precinct grows in line with community needs and sporting ambitions.

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President Bowen Sporting Complex Coordination Association (BSCCA) Brandan Mackie, David Cooper representing Member for Burdekin Dale Last MP, Mayor Ry Collins, BSCCA Secretary Jill Warren, Capital Project Manager Danny Borgh, Cr Michelle Wright, Nth Qld Manager Qld Sport and Recreation Cameron Whiting, Qld Sport and Recreation Doug Pitt. Photo supplied

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