Exclusive: Favourite site for the Gold Coast’s indoor sports and entertainment stadium

The next big thing for the Gold Coast is a boutique indoor sports and entertainment stadium. Councillors will get a report in mid-May. The city’s biggest secret is the preferred site.

The next big thing for the Gold Coast is a boutique indoor sports and entertainment stadium. Councillors will get a report in mid-May on the subject. The city’s biggest secret is the preferred site. Depending on the location favoured, this will be the next
big citywide controversy, not because of the idea – it’s a great one – but the site itself.

We won’t know a lot because councillors will go into closed session at the Evandale Chambers due to commercial in confidence.

They will give the tick to “go to the market”. What happens next?

The most workable scenario involves a site that’s Gold Coast City Council land.

Concept plans put forward as part of the Cross River Rail project showing an indoor stadium, part of Brisbane Live at Roma Street — the Gold Coast could have the same.

Council then controls the centre while a private operator could hire acts or secure events. A council insider says: “They’re (the officers) looking at a range of sites.”

After talking to several sources, a potential short list will include:

* the Southport Sharks, where the club has previously produced a masterplan for its Olsen Ave base to be transformed into a giant sports and entertainment precinct.

* the Miami council depot close to Pizzey Park which is to undergo a $20m makeover.

* the Bruce Bishop car park, which continues to attract private investors.

All these options meet a critical requirement – they are within a short walk to light rail.

Another option is the Broadbeach Convention and Exhibition Centre can be upgraded.

Other locations in the Southport CBD being mentioned include upgrading either of the two old car parks – Athol Paterson in Lawson Street or Mal Burke opposite the courts.

Then there is a shock contender.

“The other site which has come up a bit is the council-owned land opposite Pacific Fair,” my council insider added.

West of the shopping centre front of the canal is the Broadbeach library and recently upgraded community centre along with parkland.

Artist impression of a proposed boutique stadium developed for Southport Sharks on the Gold Coast.

“A lot of people are saying that’s the spot. We would have to incorporate a library and community centre (in the redevelopment),” the source says.

It’s estimated that between 1.5 to 2 has will be needed to build the indoor stadium to house between 10,000 to 12,000 visitors.

They could watch UFC, boxing and NBL along with visiting headline entertainment acts.

Mayor Tom Tate is the biggest supporter. His office is getting regular approaches to meet with sporting and entertainment event promoters.

A business source, when asked about potential sites, replied: "There’s one down there at Pacific Fair. It’s a good site. But they would cop a lot of resident opposition to that, because there’s a library, community centre and parkland. It would be a hard sale.”

One of the sites being considered for the Gold Coast's boutique indoor stadium. It is opposite Pacific Fair.

The ratepayer stake in all of this? It would be slightly more than the percentage for light rail – a 20-80 split to be negotiated with the state government.

What would the total cost be? Figures being touted range from $250m to $350m and at its peak a whopping $750m.

But the bottom line is City Hall will retain a connection with the ratepayer land, either lease it or ask the state to be trustee after providing it for the deal.

“We would own it or with the state, and then say the venue is open for hire,” the council insider says.

The big challenge here, apart from finding the right location, will be getting support from promoters.

Australia has three big event promoters. They are unlikely to agree on a location.

Parkwood, Southport, Broadbeach or Miami – punters should cast their vote, because we will spend our money there. Where do you want to have an entertaining night out?

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