Popular Cleveland Showground to receive makeover
Published Thursday, 11 December, 2008 at 10:00 AM
Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
The Cleveland Showground is getting a new lease on life with work well underway to transform the facility into a multi-purpose precinct.
Visiting the showground today, Local Government Minister Warren Pitt presented Redland City Council with $486,825 in funding from the Queensland Government's Q150 Legacy Infrastructure Program to support council’s $1.2 million showground upgrade project.
"The Cleveland Showground is Redland’s premier sporting and event precinct, with more than 5000 visitors a week, “Mr Pitt said.
“However, in recent years it's become necessary to upgrade the ground so it can continue to be enjoyed for many years to come,” Mr Pitt said.
"I congratulate the mayor and councillors for their vision and commitment to what is shaping up to be a great legacy project for Cleveland."
Stage-one works are underway on the site, including a new entry, a shaded plaza area with carved pavers reflecting the area's history, and the start of a heritage trail.
Member for Cleveland Phil Weightman said the 18-hectare showground was being modernised to host festivals and events into the 21st century, while still capturing its history for posterity.
The facility was also being made more disability-friendly, he said.
"The showground is a popular location for all types of events and festivals. This year it has hosted the Bayside Off Roaders, Redlands Easter Festival, home show, the Queensland Cancer Relay for Life, historic commercial vehicles and Buick Car Club events,” Mr Weightman said.
"As locals and visitors alike know, each September it bursts into life with thousands of visitors attending the three-day Redlands Spring Festival, which started out as the Strawberry Festival in 1933.”
Mr Weightman said historic elements to be highlighted in the showground heritage trail included the Redland Museum, which features Indigenous as well as early European history, and the Edgar Harley Pavilion, which had been refurbished after its relocation.
Cr Toni Bowler, Deputy Mayor of Redland City Council, said the showground had been in danger of being loved to death.
"The upgrade will really help us keep this great asset in good condition as well as lift its profile," Cr Bowler said.
“The Redlands community appreciates the support of the Queensland Government’s Q150 funding program to help revitalise this important community facility.
"While locals know the ground, it's always been a bit of a challenge for newcomers to find the entrance, and the upgrade will take care of that issue.
"The showground will have an entrance that really makes a statement – one that can't be missed.”
Ms Bowler said council was investigating the feasibility of including a multi-purpose pavilion that would be linked to the Albert Morris building via the new shaded central plaza as part of stage two of the project.
The Q150 Legacy Infrastructure Program is a $100 million capital works funding program initiated by the Queensland Government to help local councils throughout the state create long-lasting legacies for Queensland's 150th celebrations in 2009.
For more information about Q150 celebrations, visit www.q150.qld.gov.au.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819
Visiting the showground today, Local Government Minister Warren Pitt presented Redland City Council with $486,825 in funding from the Queensland Government's Q150 Legacy Infrastructure Program to support council’s $1.2 million showground upgrade project.
"The Cleveland Showground is Redland’s premier sporting and event precinct, with more than 5000 visitors a week, “Mr Pitt said.
“However, in recent years it's become necessary to upgrade the ground so it can continue to be enjoyed for many years to come,” Mr Pitt said.
"I congratulate the mayor and councillors for their vision and commitment to what is shaping up to be a great legacy project for Cleveland."
Stage-one works are underway on the site, including a new entry, a shaded plaza area with carved pavers reflecting the area's history, and the start of a heritage trail.
Member for Cleveland Phil Weightman said the 18-hectare showground was being modernised to host festivals and events into the 21st century, while still capturing its history for posterity.
The facility was also being made more disability-friendly, he said.
"The showground is a popular location for all types of events and festivals. This year it has hosted the Bayside Off Roaders, Redlands Easter Festival, home show, the Queensland Cancer Relay for Life, historic commercial vehicles and Buick Car Club events,” Mr Weightman said.
"As locals and visitors alike know, each September it bursts into life with thousands of visitors attending the three-day Redlands Spring Festival, which started out as the Strawberry Festival in 1933.”
Mr Weightman said historic elements to be highlighted in the showground heritage trail included the Redland Museum, which features Indigenous as well as early European history, and the Edgar Harley Pavilion, which had been refurbished after its relocation.
Cr Toni Bowler, Deputy Mayor of Redland City Council, said the showground had been in danger of being loved to death.
"The upgrade will really help us keep this great asset in good condition as well as lift its profile," Cr Bowler said.
“The Redlands community appreciates the support of the Queensland Government’s Q150 funding program to help revitalise this important community facility.
"While locals know the ground, it's always been a bit of a challenge for newcomers to find the entrance, and the upgrade will take care of that issue.
"The showground will have an entrance that really makes a statement – one that can't be missed.”
Ms Bowler said council was investigating the feasibility of including a multi-purpose pavilion that would be linked to the Albert Morris building via the new shaded central plaza as part of stage two of the project.
The Q150 Legacy Infrastructure Program is a $100 million capital works funding program initiated by the Queensland Government to help local councils throughout the state create long-lasting legacies for Queensland's 150th celebrations in 2009.
For more information about Q150 celebrations, visit www.q150.qld.gov.au.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819