Robina Stadium: Cbus Super Stadium declared a ‘tasteless monstrosity’ ahead of 2008 opening
A controversial plan to build a new stadium using ratepayer funds was declared a “tasteless monstrosity” and a waste of money by Gold Coasters.
Gold Coast
Don't miss out on the headlines from Gold Coast. Followed categories will be added to My News.
THE hunt is on for a new stadium on the Gold Coast.
City leaders are investigating building a new boutique stadium which will host mid-level events from sports to e-sports.
It comes a week out from the Gold Coast Titans playing their first home game of the season against the Melbourne Storm at Cbus Super Stadium.
The Robina venue, previously known as Skilled Park, next week will mark 15 years since it opened.
That Friday evening, March 15, 2008, saw the Titans demolish the North Queensland Cowboys in dramatic fashion to christen their home turf 36-18.
It all came on the back of a stunning four-try performance by Jordan Atkins who was on debut.
It was an evening of triumph for both the team and the backers of the $160m stadium, which had long been the source of significant controversy in the preceding years.
During the early 1990s there were plans to build a giant state-of-the-art basketball arena for the Gold Coast Rollers NBL side but its exit from the competition in 1996 meant the project never got off the drawing board.
Fast-forward to the mid-2000s and the push to get the Gold Coast its own NRL side, then known as the Dolphins.
By March 2005, it was declared the “antiquated” Carrara stadium would not be suitable and then-Mayor Ron Clarke backed the Robina option publicly, something welcomed by consortium boss Michael Searle.
“It has been something we have been keen on for quite some time,’’ he said.
The pair flew to Canberra to convince the Howard Government to fund $20m with a study backing the idea.
``I am sure one of the recommendations (of the study) will be a combined stadium for the city, something that can be financially viable and host up to 35 events a year. So it makes sense not to destroy what we have at Carrara but enhance it and then start afresh with a rectangular stadium at another venue.’’ Mr Clarke said.
Council secured the future Robina site the same year, with images of it unveiled.
The Howard Government declined to support the project, forcing the state government and council to cut a deal which finally ticked the boxes with the NRL.
But the move infuriated locals who felt it was a waste of money.
“How dare Gold Coast City Council spend $17.5 million of our ratepayers’ funds on this tasteless monstrosity we do not need,’’ one Bulletin letter writer declared.
“Carrara Stadium is under-utilised, has a lot more open space and more car parks.”
However, NRL bosses approved the renamed Gold Coast Titans for entry to the competition in 2007, a year ahead of their stadium’s 2008 opening.
More Coverage
Originally published as Robina Stadium: Cbus Super Stadium declared a ‘tasteless monstrosity’ ahead of 2008 opening
Massive blaze engulfs home on Gold Coast
Fire crews have battled a massive house fire on the Gold Coast that sent a large plume of black smoke into the air which was visible from a wide area.
Meet Aaron Love: GC500 rookie and Supercars’ youngest driver
He has Supercars veteran James Courtney to guide him - Aaron Love, a GC500 rookie and the competition’s youngest driver, opens up about the first time he got behind the wheel.