Revealed: The secret push over six years to find a site and build an indoor arena

A lot of people including City leaders are talking up the indoor entertainment arena. But residents nearby are opposed. The real question is — can it be built and who will pay for it?

A lot of people including City leaders are talking up the indoor entertainment arena. But residents nearby are opposed. The real question is - can it be built and who will pay for it?

A 12,000-seat stadium at Carey Park in Southport will cost about $300 million.

This is not the first rodeo for the City embarking on building an indoor arena.

My council insider reveals six years ago, the City secretly began commercial investigations on a site near CBUS Stadium at Robina.

Artist impression of the proposed Gold Coast Arena boutique stadium at Carey Park, Southport. Picture: Supplied by Gold Coast City Council

A major land operator owned the site. To help develop the indoor entertainment centre, the plan was for council to put in about $7m and the State Government contribute $40m.

As negotiations continued, there was a stumbling block. This was the site’s lack of connectivity to public transport - and distance from restaurants and a retail heart.

“What the government told us was Robina didn’t have a substantial economy. You need to find somewhere on the light rail corridor,” the council insider said.

So officers in their most recent investigations - which remain confidential - looked at sites at Miami, Broadbeach, Surfers Paradise and Southport.

Residents at City consultation at the Lawson Street community centre this week knew exactly where the arena should be built. They did not look happy.

Resident leader John Jurgs told your columnist: “We have a tired old convention centre (at Broadbeach). It’s 20 years old. They’ve always wanted to expand it. It’s the logical thing.”

Consultation for the Carey Park indoor arena in Southport. Resident leader John Jurgs is pictured to the far right.

But most recent State governments appeared to have no appetite for this. City leaders argue there is an appetite in the private sector to develop Carey Park.

The location opposite Australia Fair and fronting the Broadwater Parklands has a light rail stop. It was the favoured location among government bureaucrats for a global tourism resort.

“It all came back to Southport. It’s (Carey Park) a car park,” the council insider said.

So who pays for it? Will it be totally private funded, and leased on State and council land?

It would most likely be a similar deal with $10 million from council and $50 million from the Government this time around. Will the new Crisafulli administration respond positively?

“It’s out to market. The market has responded. It’s understood a number of well-resourced private sector interests have responded to council’s EOI,” the council insider says.

One of those consortiums is a major player in the entertainment industry.

Aerial view of Carey Park at Southport. Picture Glenn Hampson.

But it’s not just concerts, or even basketball with an NBL team - that’s another story.

A council source says: “There’s interest from combat sports and UFC. It will actually be sports for this stadium.”

Those in council pushing for the arena say the heritage trees - a major concern for residents - can be protected and car parking not lost. Noise issues will be addressed.

When Mayor Tom Tate walked past during a break in full council on Tuesday he gave the arena a big thumbs up.

But his number one priority for the city? “Cableway,” he replied, before returning to the chambers.

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Originally published as Revealed: The secret push over six years to find a site and build an indoor arena