Gold Coast elite sports field: Training venue to feature in revised master plan for Carrara sports precinct
The city will boast a new elite training field by late this year as a revised master plan is launched for the Gold Coast Sports Precinct. HERE’S EVERYTHING WE KNOW
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THE city will boast a new elite training field by late this year as a revised master plan is launched for the Gold Coast Sports Precinct at Carrara.
The turf war about access to fields between the precinct’s major tenant the Gold Coast Suns and the Brisbane Roar, which wants to move its training and administration base here, has sparked the push for upgraded facilities.
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A boutique stadium, which can also cover entertainment events, is also in the mix of future facilities with city officers identifying a gap between venues that can hold 2000 spectators and the larger Metricon and CBUS stadiums.
Council has transferred funds from its strategic priority reserve to build the new elite field, and in closed sessions councillors have discussed a report suggesting Carrara or the Gold Coast Performance Centre at Runaway Bay.
A senior officer told councillors: “An elite field is desperately needed for the city.”
A council spokesperson revealed options for a new elite rectangular field on the northern side of the precinct were being considered and it was “due to be completed by November 2021”.
Council was completing a revised master plan for the precinct as part of a long-term vision post the Commonwealth Games, the spokesperson said.
“The draft master plan will be completed next year and will map out future investment opportunities to cement the Gold Coast’s reputation as a world sports city and a destination of choice for national and international sporting codes,” the spokesperson added.
Metricon Stadium is owned by Stadiums Queensland and managed by the Suns. Council owns the rest of the precinct, including the soccer fields which had a $750,000 makeover.
The precinct attracts more than 1 million visitations annually, most at the Sports and Leisure Centre which hosts about 130 events annually and holds 26,000 community booking hours.
The council spokesperson confirmed entertainment facilities to host concerts were not being considered as part of the master plan but all stakeholder groups and the community would be consulted.
Mayor Tom Tate remains a strong supporter of a boutique stadium, which would need to be multi-functional so it could be converted to accommodate e-game competitions, music events, large conferences, speaking forums, motor shows and sports like football and motocross.
“Our city population is rapidly heading towards 1 million. We need to stay ahead of the curve and part of that is ensuring we have a mix of event spaces, stadiums, outdoor stages, indoor venues and large sporting arenas,” he said.
“A boutique stadium would fill the gap between our current venues that can host 2000 patrons, to the larger stadiums at Robina and Carrara which can handle 27,000-plus patrons.
“Many cities across the US and Asia have these modern, fit-for-purpose stadiums so we need to ensure we can offer that facility if we are to continue to chase global events and forums for our city.’’
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