The widespread legacy of Gold Coast Commonwealth Games
THE recent Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for many Gold Coasters, Queenslanders and Australians, says GLYNIS NUNN
Commonwealth Games
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THE recent Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for many Gold Coasters, Queenslanders and Australians.
The 11 days of multicultural sport gave us some unforgettable competition.
Now we need to look at what the games promised as far as legacy for the community and sports alike.
There were four major areas that the Games were focused on.
• Enduring jobs and powering economic growth.
• Accelerating the Gold Coast to a world-class boutique city.
• Delivering 2018: The Inspiring Games.
• Building active, engaged and inclusive communities.
For me and many others the Games was a labour of love for over 12 years.
It represented much more than just the promise of an unforgettable sporting event.
It gave us the unique opportunity to inspire young athletes in our community to chase their dreams.
It was also hoped that the Games would inspire to build more active, engaged and inclusive communities, motivating people to become active and value their health – be active for life.
The track and field facilities have now been removed to make way for the Suns to continue to play their matches at Metricon Stadium.
To say I was devastated when the “warm-up” track was also pulled up was an understatement. I know that not everyone is interested in running, jumping and throwing but the opportunities that were available to market the Gold Coast to the world of athletics were lost.
The opportunity to have a Michael Johnson Academy here on the Coast was lost along with many other suggestions that were raised.
Having said this, I was elated to hear that the “warm-up” track in its complete form, minus a little bit due to pulling up of the mondo surface, was going to be given a home at Canterbury College in Waterford.
The legacy gods were looking down and delivered inspiration to the northern part of the Gold Coast.
Congratulations to the Canterbury College board who showed insight and opportunity to successfully tender for the complete 400m track.
There are not many schools that can boast their own international standard athletics track.
Canterbury will also be home to three international squash courts. The courts have movable walls to make three single or two double courts, or one large space.
The courts have a wooden floor, which can be used also for dance, which is part of the college program. The courts are expected to be installed in August to be operational by December.
How exciting to have such facilities in your school grounds that were part of an exciting international sporting event.
The college will be totally transformed in 2019 and I wish them and the athletes all the very best in looking outside the square and daring to dream to offer the best possibilities to the community.
Well done, Canterbury College.
‘It was a kick up the bum professionally’
A role at the Commonwealth Games gave this worker the ‘kick up the bum professionally’ she needed to help decide what she wanted to with her life.
Volunteer credits the Comm Games for her career
This Coast resident put in almost 18 months volunteering for the Commonwealth Games - and along with getting an experience of a lifetime, it has paid off career-wise.