Gold Coast boutique stadium: Retractable roof stadium planned for Gold Coast site
One of the world’s biggest music promoters is in talks with the State Government to build a 10,000-seat stadium with a retractable roof on the Gold Coast.
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THE State Government is in talks with an international music promoter to build a boutique stadium on the Gold Coast.
And Mayor Tom Tate wants it finished within two years and come with a retractable roof and facilities to attract the lucrative esports market.
Tourism Minster Kate Jones told the Bulletin she had met with Live Nation about making the 10,000-seat stadium a reality.
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“I can confirm that the State Government has met with Live Nation several times about their plans to scope out a location for a new music venue on the Gold Coast,” Ms Jones told the Bulletin.
“We are working with council to support Live Nation. It’s an exciting time for the Gold Coast.”
Live Nation has expressed enthusiasm to partner with the State Government, saying there was enough demand in the city for live music, but there was nowhere sufficient to bring the acts.
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The stadium is expected to be a joint venture between the State Government and Gold Coast City Council. Cr Tate said the stadium could be managed by a private consortium similar to the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre in Broadbeach.
US-based entertainment giant Live Nation has brought headline acts such as U2, The Pixies, Rod Stewart and the Dave Matthews Band to Australia in the past year.
None of them played the Gold Coast because the city does not have a specialised music hub. Bigger stadiums such as Metricon Stadium at Carrara are considered unsuitable.
The Bulletin understands a shortlist of three sites has been drawn up for a boutique stadium. Two are on the existing light rail route and another located near its future extension.
Southport’s Owen Park and Miami’s Pizzey Park are considered frontrunners by industry insiders.
Cr Tate, who is currently in the US, refused to speculate about the location, saying prospective sites were “commercial in confidence.”
Cr Tate will tour a boutique stadium during his annual leave before putting it on council’s agenda if successfully re-elected in March.
He said the stadium would be a “multi-function” complex that would have capacity for between 8000-12,000 people.
He hoped it would be used to host musicians such as Maroon 5 and Pink, as well as attracting smaller games for the Gold Coast Titans and Gold Coast United, should it regain its status in the A-League.
Cr Tate said it would be designed with a retractable roof allowing for both sporting events, concerts, conferences and esports – the now-multibillion-dollar professional video game industry.
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“The piece de resistance, which is the main motivation here is e-gaming. This is the one dearest to my heart,” he said.
“We are at the forefront of new and innovative ideas and this is a perfect time for us to have e-stadiums similar to those in New York, Los Angeles and Korea.
“It is already established, it’s a multibillion-dollar industry and it is an opportunity for the Gold Coast to get the latest technology.
“This is targeted towards the younger generation who are the ones with the disposable income and greater longevity. My kids loved Mortal Kombat when they were younger and they still love it.”
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