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The $176 million upgrade of the Cairns Convention Centre has been delayed for a third time pushing the completion date to February next year.

Explaining the new timeline, a spokesperson for Queensland Minister for Public Works and Sport Mick de Brenni told Tropic Now this week “the Cairns Convention Centre works are getting underway, but we expect some COVID-19 delays to delivery of chillers and seating made in Europe.

“As a result, the date of construction completion of the refurbishment works has been extended by 65 working days. Bringing the completion date to 4th February 2021, from what was originally 23rd October 2020.”

The delay will likely result in the Cairns Taipans will be without a home for the majority of the NBL 2020/21 season.

Consequently, with no other venues in Cairns up to NBL standard, the Taipans could be forced to play home games in Townsville - home of former NBL team, Townsville Crocodiles.

The 5,257-capacity Townsville Entertainment and Convention Centre and the 2,200-capacity Townsville Stadium are two options, while it’s believed the Gold Coast may be another possibility to host home games.

Noting this, Minister de Brenni’s spokesperson advised “we’re working with Cairns Convention Centre management and the Cairns Taipans on options while this important work is taking place.”

The NBL season is due to commence later than usual due to Coronavirus, with the League recently announcing it won’t start until the AFL and NRL seasons have concluded. At this point, those Grand Finals are expected to be played in the last weekend of October.

Meanwhile, the new the planned Hobart-based NBL franchise has moved a step forward, with the Tasmanian Government committing $68.5 million to the upgrade of the Derwent Entertainment Centre.

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12th June 2020 - Work underway on upgrades at Brisbane’s Gabba

8th June 2020 - Townsville looks to assist economic recovery through hosting sports championship events

1st June 2020 - Queensland Tourism Industry Council welcomes further easing of COVID-19 restrictions

30th April 2020 - ASM Global to launch environmental hygiene program

20th April 2020 - NBL cuts pay and makes roster changes for 2020/21 season

12th March 2020 - Cairns Performing Arts Precinct secures urban design award

28th February 2020 - Agreement announced for Tasmania to host 10th NBL franchise

26th October 2019 - ASM Global unveils international leadership team

16th September 2019 - Facility manager AEG Ogden transitions to ASM Global (Asia Pacific) brand

16th September 2019 - 5,000 seat Hobart arena unveiled as potential home for 10th NBL team

9th August 2019 - Harvey Lister: Cairns Convention Centre expansion great news for north Queensland

8th August 2019 - Queensland Government confirms $176 million Cairns Convention Centre expansion

27th June 2019 - Derwent Entertainment Centre needs significant upgrading to host Tasmanian NBL team

20th February 2019 - New manager appointed at Cairns Convention Centre

23rd January 2019 - Cairns Convention Centre Generates $80 million in spending in 2018

17th July 2017 - Expansion concept revealed for Cairns Convention Centre

9th April 2013 - Townsville Crocodiles surrender NBL licence

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