Post-Games Gold Coast sports boom as future bookings revealed
The Commonwealth Games legacy is set to deliver tens of millions of dollars to the Gold Coast next year through record bookings for the city’s upgraded sporting venues.
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THE Commonwealth Games legacy will deliver tens of millions of dollars to the Gold Coast next year through record bookings for new sporting venues.
Modelling to be released today will show more than 90 major events are already booked for upgraded Games venues, which means this year’s total of 160 is likely to be beaten.
A Government insider told the Bulletin: “The Coast proved its capability to handle traffic during the Games.
CARRARA STADIUM TRANSFORMED FOR OPENING OF GAMES
“There was no crisis during the event. There was no terrorism. Safety is the number one (issue). It’s a pretty place, that’s number two. And the quality infrastructure is all there.”
Major sporting venues hosted 164 events and functions in 2018, which generated 384 event days and $1.86 million in revenue outside of the Games, and attracted 300,000 fans.
The events program realised an estimated $17 million in local economic benefits in 2018 and combined with the previous year, led to a $33 million boost to the economy.
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Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the Government always knew the big spend on sporting infrastructure would turn the city into a world-leading destination for major events.
“We’re seeing this investment paying off,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones said the sporting events would be a shot in the arm for the local tourism sector.
“These events will generate tens of millions of dollars for the Gold Coast economy,” she said.
“The data is a testament to the legacy of the Commonwealth Games for the local tourism industry.
“We know the trend will continue as the reputation of the Gold Coast grows. Based on current interest, bookings in 2019 will far exceed 2018.”
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Gaven MP Meaghan Scanlon said the 90 events in 2019 had led to bookings at the Sports and Leisure Centre, Coomera Indoor Sports Centre, Carrara Indoor Sports Stadium, Gold Coast Sports Precinct, Runaway Bay Indoor Sports Stadium and the Cycle Centre.
“Bookings also show that community sport participation has significantly increased with court bookings more than doubling for local sports clubs,” she said.
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said the focus for the council has always been to maximise the legacy benefits from the Games.
“We are rapidly becoming a recognised city for major events nationally and internationally, and our local sporting groups and clubs are embracing the $2 billion-plus investment the State Government and council have made in creating these world-class arenas and sporting fields,” he said.
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