A$16.5m GC2018 hockey venue redevelopment complete

All Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games competition venues are now officially ready for Games action with the completion of the A$16.5m Gold Coast Hockey Centre.

Commonwealth Games Minister, Kate Jones, Federal Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Steven Ciobo, and City of Gold Coast Mayor, Tom Tate, unveiled the new-look hockey venue at Keith Hunt Park in Labrador.

Ms Jones said the redevelopment included two new synthetic international standard pitches and seating for 500:

I’m delighted to be able to deliver the final world-class sporting venue for the Gold Coast well ahead of the Games. The two new synthetic pitches were built to international competition standards, providing outstanding facilities for the local hockey community. The redevelopment, which also included the upgrade and expansion of the clubhouse amenities, will benefit the sport locally and aid in the attraction of major competitions and international training camps long after the Commonwealth Games.

Ms Jones also advised that Gold Coast builder Alder Constructions managed the redevelopment with more than 1,000 workers on-site throughout the duration of the 16-month project:

Wherever possible, the Palaszczuk Government made it a priority to ensure local businesses and workers benefit from the $320 million GC2018 venue construction program. The redevelopment project has delivered a significant legacy for the Gold Coast hockey community as well as local business.

Minister Ciobo said the Gold Coast Hockey Centre redevelopment would cater for elite and community sporting groups as well as provide a range of facilities to support the public to be physically active:

The development will not only provide new and upgraded infrastructure to support the growth of hockey on the Gold Coast, it will also help attract major competitions and international training camps long after the Games, driving tourism, jobs and economic growth for our city.

 

This is one of a number of projects the Australian Government has co-funded as part of its $156 million investment in the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games to provide a legacy into the future and with under 12 months to go until the Games the modern sports infrastructure in place will contribute to a truly memorable event.

Cllr Tate said the final GC2018 venue for the Gold Coast would support the development of hockey on the coast and create opportunities for future training camps and major events:

GC2018 has brought a renewed focus on sport, from grass roots through to elite level with more than $200 million invested in new and upgraded sporting and community infrastructure in the city.

The refurbishment and expansion of the existing Gold Coast Hockey Centre building included new meeting rooms, kitchen and bar facilities, a function room, change rooms and amenities. New permanent spectator seating for 500 was also built, with provision to accommodate about 5,000 during the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games (GC2018).

The Gold Coast Hockey Centre redevelopment was funded by the Queensland Government, Australian Government and City of Gold Coast.

Australia’s best track and field stars headed for the Gold Coast

Australia’s top track and field stars will compete for the title of national champion at Carrara Stadium on the Gold Coast only weeks before next year’s Commonwealth Games.

Minister for Tourism, Major Events and Commonwealth Games, Kate Jones, announced today that the 2018 Australian Athletics Championships would be held from February 15-18 next year in the same stadium that will welcome athletes from across the globe for the Games in April.

The Championships, which will be the first major athletics event to be held at Carrara Stadium, were secured through a partnership between Tourism and Events Queensland, GOLDOC and Athletics Australia.

Ms Jones said:

The Australian Athletics Championships will be the perfect warm-up event for the Commonwealth Games – not only for the athletes but for the world-class facilities at Carrara as well.

 

The world’s best are going to love the facilities at Carrara and we are delighted that Australia’s elite athletes will get the opportunity to experience them early through the national championships.

 

The Commonwealth Games will be the biggest event in Queensland this decade and the excitement on the Gold Coast is already building, especially around the track and field, so to stage the Australian titles at Carrara is a real coup.

 

Queensland’s reputation as Australia’s premier events destination continues to be enhanced by events like the Australian Athletics Championships, which complement other large scale sporting events set to be held in Queensland including the Bledisloe Cup, the Rugby League World Cup Final, the first Ashes cricket Test and, of course, the Commonwealth Games.

Ms Jones said the Games newest sponsor, Cockram Construction, started work on the warm-up tracks adjacent to the main stadium today.

GOLDOC Chairman, Peter Beattie AC said the fact that the national championships were being held on the Gold Coast was a great opportunity to turn the spotlight on the city, its facilities and the impending Commonwealth Games:

We will be just 48 days away from hosting the biggest event Australia will see in more than a decade so we welcome every chance to trial the venue and promote the Games.

Athletics Australia’s Interim Chief Executive Officer, Michael Hall, said the Gold Coast was a popular choice amongst athletes at the perfect host for the Australian Championships, adding that Australia’s junior and para-athletes would compete in the 2018 Australian Junior Athletics Championships in Sydney from March 14-18.

Mr Hall added:

Next year presents a vital opportunity for Australian athletics to provide outstanding competition options for domestic and international athletes as they prepare for the excitement of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

 

The partnerships we have struck with relevant agencies in Queensland and New South Wales have allowed us to do that and we now look forward to celebrating the success of Australia’s athletes.

 

Our member associations are working tirelessly to complement the national program with competition opportunities for athletes of all ages and abilities. You will struggle to find a weekend where you can’t participate and that’s exciting for the sport.

Images, courtesy: GC2018

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