Roma set for new equestrian centre and Bassett Park overhaul

Basset Park is in line to have a 1000 seat equestrian centre, a 400 seat conference facility, a new bar complex and a raft of changes to the grandstand, club area, bookie ring and sporting fields under a master plan up for public consultation starting on September 23.

Maranoa Regional Council councillor Cameron O'Neil said there are a raft of different changes that are potentially in play here.

"There is a proposal to build a Maranoa conference facility which would house close to 400 people and it would be utilised at different times of the year at major events like the show and Roma Cup," he said.

"We have looked at changes around the grandstand, the club area and bookie ring to ensure we are accommodating people for disability access as well as changing it to be more user friendly.

"The current facilities are dated and we'll have to make significant renovations to them if they are to stay the way they are."

Cr O'Neil said master plan process has been entered into with no dollar restrictions.

"On the proposal there would be a new bar complex built and the wool court and the pavilion would go," he said.

"It also includes plans for an equestrian centre and that is to the north on McPhee Street taking in the wish list of all the horse sports users at Bassett Park and those that don't use Bassett Park.

"It is a multi-million dollar facility that is being proposed so we would like to hear people's comments about that as well.

Cr O'Neil said it will be state-of-the art with a minimalist view because what we want are facilities that are user pay and we don't want the burden to fall back on the rate base.

"It would mirror something like what Dalby has where you can do all your horse sports and have concerts as well," he said.

"Off the top of my head I think it is around 1000 people that could fit into that facility."

Cr O'Neil said the Maranoa Regional Council is also looking at what sporting groups can use this facility and there are a number of groups we have spoken to.

"In the plan there are ovals for football, touch football and cricket in the middle of the race track," he said

"We've also been in touch with the netball sporting groups in town and they are very interested in coming out to Bassett Park and we are looking at holding netball games in the south western corner."


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