Welcome to the FIRE PIT
Once it was known as ‘The Swamp’ but come November the Townsville Entertainment and Convention Centre (TECC) will take on a new nickname – The Fire Pit.
The JCU Townsville Fire, who are celebrating their 21st season in the WNBL, will make the move to TECC for the new season starting in November.
General Manager Sam Pascoe said the move was not only a massive coup for the club, but for the Townsville community more generally.
“Being located in the central business district will be a huge benefit for the club,” Ms Pascoe said.
“It seems fitting for our 21st season to make such a move. Last year’s grand finalist’s, the WNBL’s team of the Decade, the region’s most successful professional sporting team and the only professional female team in Northern Australia, should be playing on the biggest stage available in Townsville.
“Our game days are more than just a basketball game, they are an event experience, our members and fans experience will also be enhanced, with more seating options, more corporate facilities and the ability to make a night of a Townsville Fire game.”
“We want to create a platform to showcase these exceptional female athletes on the biggest stage and hopefully inspire the next generation of Mia Murray’s and Lauren Nicholson’s.”
The Fire’s move to TECC has been made possible through a partnership between the club and the centre’s owners, Townsville City Council and the Morris Group which also owns The Ville Resort-Casino.
Mayor Jenny Hill said the move was great news for hospitality businesses in the CBD.
“Council is a proud supporter of the JCU Townsville Fire and we’re thrilled that we’re able to help them make the move to a new home for the new season,” Cr Hill said.
“Council is committed to encouraging the community to engage in a healthy and active lifestyle and there’s no better way to do this than ensuring our national women’s basketball team is playing on the biggest stage possible.
“TECC has more space, which will allow the Fire to accommodate more fans”
“Having also adopted the Townsville Event Strategy in January 2020, Council looks to grow existing events where possible and this move to The Fire Pit will also benefit surrounding cafes, restaurants and bars.
“Supporters can come into the city for pre-dinner meals or drinks or stay after the game.”
The Ville Resort-Casino CEO, Michael Jones said the Fire’s move to TECC was a big win for businesses in the CBD.
“Since taking over operations of TECC at the end of last year our focus has been on hosting events that will help boost trade in the CBD, particularly for hospitality businesses which are still recovering from COVID-19 shutdowns in 2020,” Mr Jones said.
“Having the new Fire Pit located at TECC sends a clear message that big events are back, and hopefully that will encourage people to get out and show their support for the Fire and local business at the same time.
“We’re thrilled to be hosting the Townsville Fire at TECC and are so proud that we could be a driving force behind getting their games showcased in an arena that’s worthy of their incredible skill and athleticism.
“Townsville loves the Fire and having their games played in an atmosphere like TECC will give the community a chance to get behind their team in a way they never could before.
“The Morris Group already provides a great deal of support to the local community through various charities, grants and scholarships, and we’re really pleased that we could extend that support to the Townsville Fire to help make The Fire Pit a reality.”
Fire legend Mia Murray said the team could not wait to get onto the court.
“With Fire branding from the change-rooms to the centre-court, there will be no question that TECC is the home of the JCU Townsville Fire,” Ms Murray said.
“This will give our girls a huge boost and no doubt intimidate the other WNBL teams, who already find coming to Townsville tough, especially with how vocal and passionate our fans are.”
“We’re all working extremely hard in the preseason to be ultra-competitive in the upcoming season but, most importantly, we all love playing basketball, and we love this region, all of our new incoming players have all said how they can’t wait to be the players that the Townsville Fans are cheering for, I think that love of the game and the community is what really rallies our fan-base.”