Capricorn Enterprise supports Rocky Sports Club future development plans

Posted on September 9th, 2020

With stadiums increasingly becoming ‘community assets’, contributing to the local area’s long-term economic and social structure, Capricorn Enterprise maintains its strong support of Rocky Sports Club as a proposed future venue for Rockhampton’s stadium.  

Following a federally-funded ($250,000) feasibility study conducted in 2013/14 by global stadium design experts, Populous, which considered stadium trends and world-wide benchmarking, it was found that the Lion Creek Road (Rocky Sports Club site) premises was the preferred site, perfectly suited as the essential ingredient in the urban matrix pulling the community together. 

As a key Priority Initiative for the region since 2010, ten potential sites were highlighted by the CQ NRL Bid Team for investigation by Populous, with constraints and risks taken into consideration. These sites included Yeppoon, Parkhurst, Central Queensland University, Jardine Park, Kershaw Gardens, Lakes Creek Road, Aurizon CBD Site, Rosel Park, Browne Park, Rockhampton CBD and the Showgrounds Precinct.

It was found that the Showgrounds Precinct with three options in order of priority, named the site now known as the Rocky Sports Club as the best opportunity for positioning a new $20 million stadium, which will have the ability to cater for 16,000 people and indoor conference facilities for up to 1000.

Complementing economic growth, social issues, environmental impact, long-term community benefit, together with many other factors, the establishment of the multi-purpose venue at Rocky Sports Club, will deliver a sports and entertainment precinct, which will provide an active lifestyle precinct that attracts visitors and encourages crowds to stay longer.

Capricorn Enterprise CEO Mary Carroll said that the stadium’s ideal geographical location, on the fringe of the Rockhampton CBD, will be a major landmark for Central Queensland, and will set the benchmark for regional Australian Multi-purpose venues.

“The construction of the ‘Rocky Stadium’ will release the shackles for the region’s ability and capability to host major events, providing enormous economic benefits for the community, and will build upon the existing facilities in the city,” Mary said.

“With the Rockhampton CBD only a leisurely 12-minute stroll along the bank of the beautiful Fitzroy River, and surrounded by 15 quality hotels and apartment complexes located within one kilometre, the Victoria Park location is a perfectly suited venue for this type of infrastructure.”

Rocky Sports Club General Manager, Jack Hughes believes that the establishment of the new football and entertainment stadium will cement the already popular Club as the ‘go to’ venue for entertainment and community spirit.

“From Rugby League and Rugby Union to Touch Football and Soccer, the Rocky Sports Club is already home to an array of sporting codes, with the proposed stadium allowing for many other sports to be hosted including bull-riding, boxing, motorcross and more. The stadium’s geographical location sits within a precinct that is home to some 21 different sporting codes,” Jack said.

“Rocky Sports Club currently works with 76 clubs, events and associations annually, and is a venue focussed on supporting the broader local community – a hub for support, fundraising, entertainment and sport.”

The stadium construction phase will create up to 67 full-time jobs and inject over $44 million into the local economy.

“Whilst Capricorn Enterprise supports an upgrade to Browne Park, adjacent to the Rockhampton Leagues Club, our organisation has always supported a new stadium at the Rocky Sports Club site, which would cater for future growth, based on the 2014 findings in the expert Populous report,” Mary said.

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