Australia’s Gold Coast mulls 12,000-cap arena

Australia’s Gold Coast has revealed plans for a new $480 million (€295m) indoor arena for live music performances, sports, comedy, esports and family entertainment.

The proposed 12,000-capacity venue, put forward by the city council, would be built in Carey Park in the coastal town of Southport, Queensland.

The “city-shaping” arena is expected to host up to 80 major events per year and inject $700 million in value into the local economy over the next decade.

Construction is slated to begin around 2026-27, with the venue completed by 2028-29 – in time for the Brisbane 2032 Olympics. The move is also part of the city’s masterplan for Southport announced earlier this year to revitalise the Gold Coast’s official CBD.

The council has described the arena as a “city-shaping” project that is expected to host up to 80 major events per year

While the arena has yet to secure a commercial backer, the city council says a community consultation process is the first step towards shaping up plans for the site before opening a broader conversation with the investment community.

“We know the city is missing out on opportunities for elite sport and international gigs by not having a venue like this,” says Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate.

“And this site makes sense to me. It is located close to accommodation, public transport, food and beverage services and recreational activities which makes it a natural fit.”

The public consultation process is currently open for submissions until Monday 9 December 2024.

The City of Gold Coast is hosting a series of Brisbane 2032 Olympic events, including judo and wrestling at Gold Coast Sport and Leisure Centre. Gold Coast Stadium will host the football preliminaries, while Coomera Indoor Sports Centre will host the Olympic volleyball and the Paralympic wheelchair rugby.

Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre will host the Olympic volleyball preliminaries and weightlifting.

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