The historic and much loved Owen Park is the front runner to be transformed into a boutique stadium

A HISTORIC and much loved Gold Coast sporting ground has been earmarked as the frontrunner to be converted into a boutique stadium.

A PRIME Southport sports ground used by a multitude of codes and community groups has been earmarked as a preferred boutique stadium site, sources reveal.

The CBD suburb’s Owen Park plot near the light rail is being seen as ideal for a 10-12,000-person concert venue by city leaders, well-placed council sources have told the Bulletin.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate earlier this week said he had identified an “ideal” site near the light rail.

At the time, he wanted to discuss it with councillors first but described it as an “active concept”.

Yesterday, he would not confirm or deny that the “ideal” site he was talking about was Owen Park.

MOMENTUM BUILDS FOR BOUTIQUE STADIUM

Owen Park at Southport has been earmarked as the potential site for a new boutique stadium. Picture: Michael Ross

In response to questions about Owen Park, he said: “I will discuss options with councillors and canvas their views.”

Asked for his thoughts on Owen Park, Gold Coast entertainment king Billy Cross - a big fan of a boutique stadium concept - said it was “perfect and ticked all the boxes”.

“This is about having a multi-purpose stadium for sporting events and concerts. It has got to be user friendly, accessible to the light rail, accessible to heavy rail and not have noise issues.

“All those things tick the boxes - to me as a site it is perfect,” Mr Cross said.

“It’s good for the suburb, it will ignite the ‘Sopo’ economy.”

TATE BACKS STADIUM PLAN

Billy Cross led renewed calls this week to build a boutique stadium after Live and Foreigner played to 12,000 people at a temporary stage at Broadwater Parklands. Picture: Jerad Wiliams

Earlier this week, Mr Cross led renewed calls to build a boutique stadium after Live and Foreigner played to 12,000 people at a temporary stage at Broadwater Parklands.

Mr Cross said the city was being left off itineraries of high-calibre acts because it lacked a facility of that size.

Southport councillor Dawn Crichlow said she was unaware Owen Park was under consideration but didn’t fancy the city’s chances of using it or part of it for a stadium.

“I actually wanted the Gold Coast Show to go to Owen Park but when I met with our parks people they said ‘No way - it’s purely for touch football and rugby league’. And the show is only for two days.”

Owen Park is one of the oldest sporting grounds on the Gold Coast and held the Australian Seniors Touch Football Championships in 1996.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE BULLETIN AND GET A FITBIT

Owen Park is home to the Gold Coast Touch Association, Gold Coast City Brass Band, Southport Rugby League and Gold Coast Sporting Hall of Fame plus more.

It’s unclear how much of the park a stadium would require.

Titans co-owner Bec Frizelle is a fan of a boutique stadium saying there is a gap in the market.

HOTA’s amphitheatre has capacity for 3000 and Metricon can hold 40,000 but the city has nothing in-between.