Work due to start early as next year on huge HOTA upgrade set to cost more than $300 million

Work can start early as next year on a $300 million plus upgrade of a much-loved city facility – but some worry construction will have a negative impact on operations.

Work can start as early as next year on a $300 million plus upgrade of HOTA but there are fears construction will have a negative impact on the performance of the Outdoor Stage.

An “unsolicited” bid by a private operator to manage the stage and improve profits post-Covid has been rejected as HOTA’s finances and management is reviewed.

The next stage of HOTA – plans showing a revamp of the Performing Arts Centre.

The Bulletin can reveal a consultant employed by Gold Coast City Council to investigate HOTA’s operations found the building of the new Gallery had a huge negative impact on the stage performance.

“Securing funding and developing the next stage of the HOTA precinct is likely to have both a short-term and long-term native and positive impacts on the operation of the Outdoor Stage,” a report stated.

The Sharpe consultancy discovered the building of the HOTA gallery meant the stage did not “reach a stabilised state of operations” made worse by the Covid restrictions.

The latest report confirms council wants to progress with a new theatre building and refurbishment of the existing theatre and cinema complex.

Councillors debated the report behind closed doors but Mayor Tom Tate, when asked by the Bulletin, for the first time indicated the old central building would be kept.

He said it was critical for both the review, which will improve financial and management performance and see HOTA hit new benchmarks, along with business plans to be completed.

“It’s important we get this final stage ‘shovel ready’ and once we do, we will lobby the State Government for funding,” Mr Tate said.

“When you consider how much the State has funded GOMA in Brisbane over the years, we only need a fraction of that to complete HOTA.

“We are working on a timeline that would meet the 2027-2028 financial year. The existing building can be largely kept and refurbished as this is the best value-for-money for ratepayers and structurally, the existing building is in good condition.

The Outdoor Stage — view of HOTA on the Gold Coast. Picture: @yuichi_horie

“The HOTA Outdoor stage and gallery will remain fully operational during these works.”

Planned are a 1600 to 1800-seat theatre, a 600 to 800-seat boutique theatre, integrated carparking and new food and beverage areas.

Next steps include preparing a detailed design brief, investigate carparking and make a final decision on whether to demolish and rebuild as opposed to a refurbishment of the 36-year-old existing central building.

“If other government funding is secured, the project could be commence as early as 2023 and construction completed in approximately 2027-28,” the report said.

To replace the existing building will require $295m. At least $29m would be needed for a renovation.

Historic photograph showing the carparking area which fronts the original Gold Coast Arts Centre – before it became the HOTA precinct.

The $39m asset costs about $20m a year to operate but new arts boss Jackie Trad in May after her appointment was confident about the cultural precinct “breaking even” in the next financial year.

A council spokesperson confirmed the HOTA stage would not be managed by a third party, and that was not being considered until a complete review has been completed.

Under changes recently recommended by the Sharpe consultancy, HOTA would benefit from multi-year funding but must make requests for individual exhibitions or larger capital projects.

“A number of measures will be implemented over the forthcoming year to improve engagement between HOTA and City Officers, including a Communication Protocol and formalised processes for requesting information,” the spokesperson said.

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