Cairns Pop-Up Arena
The Cairns Pop-Up Arena is a sports arena in Cairns, Queensland, Australia.[1] The arena is the temporary host of the Cairns Taipans and some Suncorp Super Netball and Women's National Basketball League games.
 The exterior of the Cairns Pop-Up Arena as viewed from Fearnley Street (January 2021) | |
| |
| Location | Cnr Spence & Fearnley Street, Cairns, Queensland, 4870 |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 16°55′56″S 145°46′7″E |
| Owner | Queensland Government |
| Capacity | 2,000 |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | 2020 |
| Opened | 2020 |
| Tenants | |
| Cairns Taipans (NBL) (2020-present) Suncorp Super Netball (2020) WNBL (2020) | |
Description
The arena has a floor space of 6,500 square metres on a 4.8 hectare site just outside the Cairns CBD. As a former Bunnings building it only contains one hall, which is fitted with grandstand seating, air conditioning, broadcast lighting, video scoreboards, a PA system, change room facilities, public amenities and catering facilities.[1]
History
Following months of debate about the future of the Cairns Taipans in Cairns due to the delay of upgrades to the Cairns Convention Centre and no other suitable venue ready, on 10 July 2020 Queensland Government Sports Minister Mick de Brenni unveiled plans to upgrade the former Bunnings building on the corner of Spence and Fearnley Streets which had been vacant since 2015.[1]
Events
On 10 July 2020, when de Brenni unveiled the plans to upgrade the former Bunnings building he announced that the Cairns Taipans were going to use the stadium until the Cairns Convention Centre upgrades are completed.[1] The stadium is also expected to be used by the club for training and pre-season games, as an alternative to Cairns Basketball Stadium.[2]
On 15 September 2020, Suncorp Super Netball announced that they would be hosting three games at the venue for the league's Indigenous round.[3]
On 9 October 2020, the Women's National Basketball League announced that they would start their 2020–21 season in a North Queensland hub, with the Cairns Pop-Up Arena to host 20 games.[4]
References
- "Former Bunnings Warehouse set to temporarily host the Taipans". Austadiums. 13 July 2020. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
- Sparkes, Rowan (21 July 2020). "Super Netball: Cairns pop-up arena a chance to host games". www.cairnspost.com.au. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
- "Indigenous round to be played in Far North Queensland". Suncorp Super Netball. 5 September 2020. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
- Waterworth, Ben (9 October 2020). "WNBL 2020 season: Fixture, dates confirmed, venues, TV broadcast, structure, finals". Fox Sports. Retrieved 12 October 2020.