Page 56 - Tropic Magazine Issue 13

TAIPANS 20 TH SEASON ANNIVERSARY

Centre of the action meetings, but to also be a community
facility. The Centre usually hosts
The Cairns Convention Centre business events that deliver knowledge
exchange and a positive economic
has played a pivotal role outcome for Cairns, however it is the
throughout the Taipans’ history. basketball, concerts, school formals and
graduation ceremonies we proudly host
The Cairns Convention Centre was that cements our place as an integral
ready to expand after stage one had part of the social fabric of our very
opened in July 1996. In a working special community.
partnership with the Taipans, the
Convention Centre was able to secure What level of logistics are required to First stage of Cairns
$30 million from the Queensland transform the Centre on game day? Convention Centre
Government to fast-track the More than 100 staff are involved
construction of a 5000-seat arena that in delivering game day across all Trad announced the refurbishment and
could be used for basketball, concerts departments, including cleaning team, expansion of the Convention Centre
and convention trade exhibitions. kitchen and serving staff, security and as one of the highlight infrastructure
Convention Centre CEO Ross Steele building services personnel, event projects in her last budget speech.
explains how the two organisations managers and coordinators. When the It’s very early in the process, but the
work together. Taipans play at home, they provide jobs budget papers highlighted the funding
and benefits to our regional economy. committed over the next two years to
Why is it important for the Convention allow the project to come to fruition.
Centre to support the Cairns Taipans? Tell us about the exciting development The $176 million expansion includes
The Cairns Convention Centre was built phase ahead for the Convention Centre. refurbishment of the existing centre
to not just deliver economic benefit to We were delighted that Queensland plus the addition of new exhibition
the city by attracting conferences and Treasurer and Deputy Premier Jackie space and meeting rooms.

56 • Tropic • Issue 13