Billy Cross call for Gold Coast gig stadium after Live, Foreigner

A ‘IDEAL’ site for a permanent 12,000 person large-scale boutique stadium has been picked as entertainment leaders say it could see high profile acts visiting the Gold Coast more often rather than bypassing to Brisbane.

The crowd - estimated to be 10,000-plus - for Saturday night's GC600 concert at Broadwater Parklands, with Live, Foreigner and Sheppard on the bill Picture: MARK HORSBURGH

GOLD Coast entertainment king Billy Cross is leading calls for a 12,000-person stadium, saying “build it and they will come” — and Mayor Tom Tate has an “ideal” site.

Mr Cross is urging city and state funding support for a facility after his Cross Promotions and Supercars staged Saturday night’s GC600 outdoor gig with Live, Foreigner and Sheppard.

More than 10,000 turned out to see the high-profile acts.

The crowd - estimated to be 10,000-plus - for Saturday night's GC600 concert at Broadwater Parklands, with Live, Foreigner and Sheppard on the bill Picutre: MARK HORSBURGH

WHAT A BOUTIQUE STADIUM WOULD MEAN FOR THE GOLD COAST

But Mr Cross said the city would get similar calibre bands regularly adding the Gold Coast to tour itineraries if it had a permanent venue that size.

The city has capacity for 2000 to 3000 at the Home of the Arts (HOTA) amphitheatre in Bundall and Helensvale’s NightQuarter. Then for outdoor concerts there is a huge leap to Gold Coast Suns home ground Metricon which seats 25,000 has potential to host 40,000.

But there is nothing in-between.

Billy Cross: “Build it and they will come.” Picture: Jerad Williams

MOMENTUM BUILDS FOR BOUTIQUE STADIUM

“Build it and they will come,” Mr Cross told the Gold Coast Bulletin yesterday after pulling off the show at Broadwater Parklands.

“For so many acts we are missing out on them because we don’t have a venue for 12,000,” he said.

“If we had a facility it would make my job much easier but I know so many other promoters around Australia who would love a venue of that size on the Gold Coast.”

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate. Picture: Adam Head

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said that “100 per cent I support a boutique stadium” and revealed he already had a favoured spot for it — but wouldn’t say where.

“I have identified a site near light rail that I believe is ideal. I want to discuss it with councillors first, it’s definitely still an active concept,” Cr Tate said.

SPORTING CLUBS BACK BOUTIQUE STADIUM CALL

The crowd - estimated to be 10,000-plus - for Saturday night's GC600 concert at Broadwater Parklands, with Live, Foreigner and Sheppard on the bill Picture: MARK HORSBURGH

“I led the conversation when our AFL and NRL teams were facing tough lease conditions with Stadiums Queensland. That has been resolved for now but our city needs a stadium of around 10-15,000 capacity,” Cr Tate said.

He has previously said Titans former exorbitant lease costs for CBUS Super Stadium could be poured into interest payments on a $20m loan to build a boutique stadium.

Mr Cross added Southport at Broadwater Parklands was “easy to get to, easy to leave”.

“Last night we had 12,000 people there and within half an hour those people left.

WHY BOUTIQUE STADIUM SHOULD GO AHEAD

An aerial shot of Cbus Super Stadium for the 2018 NRL game between the Titans and Cowboys.

“A facility like that will also help Southport, because 10,000 people will then go out so it becomes great for economic impact because people will just migrate there.

“I know council are supportive and we just need to get it actioned and get the ball rolling,” Mr Cross said.

Titans co-owner and business titan Bec Frizelle, also a boutique stadium fan, said: “Anything that is going to create further opportunity for entertainment and sport for the Gold Coast is a bonus.

Gold Coast Titans owner Rebecca Frizelle. Picture Glenn Hampson

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“It is clear there is a gap in that segment of the market. And while we have incredible promoters like Billy and Jackie Cross prepared to do it and bring acts here, we should be capitalising.”

Destination GC boss Annaliese Battista said it would stack up financially and not take long to get return on investment.

Destination Gold Coast CEO Annaliese Battista says return on investment in a Gold Coast boutique stadium would happen very quickly. Picture Glenn Hampson

“Certainly Destination Gold Coast would get behind it because it’s good for the economy.

“The type of boutique events and performances you’d get are ones with a fanatical following. They’re the type of people who travel for events and would stay on the Gold Coast.”

Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones didn’t reply to questions.