First stage of Gold Coast Cultural Precinct aims for 2018 completion

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate is backing the first stage of the new Gold Coast Cultural Precinct to be ready ahead of the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Mayor Tate unveiled the initial concept for the precinct’s Stage 1, including a striking versatile outdoor stage.

Mayor Tate explained that the “cultural precinct winning design team ARM Architecture and Topotek1 has created a concept which they have labelled the Splash as a uniquely Gold Coast response to our need for a truly versatile outdoor performance space.”

The concept, emerging from the proposed grassed amphitheatre aims to resemble a giant water splash from the adjacent Nerang River. Its will now  be subjected to detailed design development over the coming months to ensure it can deliver a versatile performance and activity space.

Estimated at a cost of $37 million over three years, Stage 1 will include:

• The versatile outdoor space (The Splash concept), equipped with services and technology; 
• Riverside Hub – adapting Council’s existing Riverside Building to accommodate a transitional gallery for visual arts exhibitions, along with creative partnership spaces, administration, civic reception space, a potential creative tenancy and café; and
• Initial Artscape works – linking Stage 1 facilities and Evandale Lake enhancements.

However, some Gold Coast City Councillors have questioned the overall $280 million budget for the Precinct and whether the first stage will be completed in time for the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

A group of six Councillors have raised a variety of concerns about whether the Council can afford to build the Precinct in time for 2018.

28th August 2014 - $1.2 MILLION PLAN TO DEVELOP GOLD COAST CULTURE

26th June 2014 - GOLD COAST CULTURAL PRECINCT MOVES FORWARD