Phase 1 of the $13.4m upgrade of C.ex Coffs International Stadium – the Building an EPIC Stadium for the Future project – was officially launched by Coffs Harbour Mayor, Councillor Denise Knight, and Federal Member for Cowper Luke Hartsuyker MP in a ground-breaking ceremony today.
This initial stage is the construction of a new carpark in the northern precinct of the site and, following a competitive tender process, local firm AJ Pipelines and Construction Pty Ltd was awarded the contract.
“I am delighted that a Coffs Harbour company will be doing the work, particularly as AJ Pipelines has just done such an outstanding job at the Jetty Foreshores,” said Cr Knight.
“Working in partnership always produces the best outcomes and that collaborative approach has been a feature of this project from the get-go.
“We wouldn’t even have been able to consider the upgrade without the joint funding from the Australian Government’s Building Better Regions Fund programme.
“I must credit the many stakeholders who provided invaluable assistance in securing the funding by writing letters of support for the grant application. In particular, I’d like to acknowledge three local businesses who also offered to support the project financially – the C.ex Group, Infracraft Pty Ltd and Key Employment Ltd.
“Their commitment really highlighted how much the Coffs Harbour community is right behind this vital upgrade.”
Council staff are working closely with a range of sport stakeholders and event partners to ensure that the new stadium will help position Coffs Harbour as the best regional stadium in Australia.
“The recent Women’s Ashes series is a fantastic indicator of the type of international event that we are aiming to attract more regularly when we can confidently say that we have the best stadium in regional Australia,” said Nikki Greenwood, Council’s Group Leader City Prosperity.
“Phase 2 of the EPIC project is the design and construction of the new grandstands, which will deliver significant improvements in spectator, player and media facilities.
“The tender is currently out in the marketplace. Contracts are expected to be agreed in early 2018 and work will begin as soon as they are in place.”
