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Plans for a $65 million upgrade of the York Park stadium in Launceston have been unveiled — but the second and third stages of the project remain unfunded.
Key points:
- The new stand is said to provide an extra 1,000 seats and will feature improved facilities for players and coaches and better food and beverage outlets
- Tasmanian Premier says he will continue to lobby the federal Labor government for the additional $65 million to complete the other two stages
- Labor say the extension of Tasmania's deal with Hawthorn to play games locally "reflects how far we are away from our own AFL team"
The upgrade will include a new Eastern Stand, improved playing facilities and a new entertainment precinct.
It will provide an extra 1,000 seats and will feature improved facilities for players and coaches and better food and beverage outlets.
Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff said it would provide "more contemporary infrastructure to take us forward".
"It's been many, many years since a significant upgrade of this magnitude and it's very timely and secures footy for the north," he said.
Construction will start later this year and is expected to be finished in early 2025.
The funding was announced last year as part of a Tasmanian Liberal election promise.
Despite the boost, the second and third stages of the $200 million project remain unfunded.
Mr Rockliff said he is continuing to lobby for the additional $65 million needed from the federal government so that stage two can go ahead.
"The other $65 million we continue to advocate for when it comes to the federal government," Mr Rockliff said.
"I've had positive discussions with the Prime Minister on that as well."
Launceston mayor Danny Gibson has welcomed the upcoming upgrade.
"We know that the temporary structure that will be replaced in stage one is in need of significant upgrade," he said.
"And we also know, as was clearly documented in the Carter Report, that the opportunity to increase the number of patrons we can have at UTAS Stadium will be a significant game changer."
It's not the only large-scale project lobbying for funding in Tasmania.
The Tasmanian government is seeking $240 million from the federal government for a stadium to be built at Hobart's Macquarie Point, and talks are underway to increase the capacity of the Derwent Entertainment Centre.
"I've had discussions with the Prime Minister, I know that the Prime Minister is enthusiastic about supporting Tasmania," Mr Rockliff said.
"When it comes to Macquarie Point, it is more than just AFL, it is a lot more than just AFL, it is more than a stadium, it's creating an urban renewal project that all Tasmanian's can be very proud of."
Hawthorn deal extended
As plans were unveiled, the government also announced that Hawthorn will play AFL fixtures in Launceston for the next three seasons as part of a $13.5 million contract extension with the Tasmanian government.