First View of New Carrara Stadium

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh has released the first images of what the completed Gold Coast Stadium will look like, giving a previewc of what the $126 million project has to offer.

Work on the impressive 25,000 capacity stadium, which will be home to the Gold Coast AFL team, is set to begin before the end of the year.

Releasing the images of the Populous-designed stadium, Premier Bligh explained “this stadium is great news for Gold Coast Aussie Rules and great news for the Gold Coast economy.

“It will support local jobs now, boost tourism and sport, and build the infrastructure that the Gold Coast needs for the future.

“And we can see from these images that it’s going to look absolutely fantastic.

“I have no doubt this stadium will be a great home for the Gold Coast FC team, and a place for footy fans to visit time and time again.”

The Queensland Government has committed $60 million towards the stadium while the Federal Government is contributing $36 million as part of its $800 million Community Infrastructure Program.

Gold Coast Mayor Ron Clarke, a life-long AFL fan, has hailed the stadium redevelopment as a momentous event for Australia’s sixth largest city, the former Olympic runner stating “at last, after so much hard work, it is all starting to come together.

“The new stadium will give a fantastic boost to the sport, delight local fans and provide a big shot in the arm to our local economy."

AFL Chief Executive, Andrew Demetriou said the development of this stadium topped off a great year for the AFL, saying “this is an exciting time for Australian Football on the Gold Coast and we can't wait to see the stadium take shape. As well as being the home base for our newest AFL Club, the new stadium will provide a great facility for our representative teams like the Scorpions and Stingrays and for major community events.

“The Gold Coast Football Club is also going from strength to strength. In their first year, they played in the TAC Cup finals series and have just extended the appointed their senior coach Guy McKenna, through until 2012.. So the group of young men from the Coast and around Australia will have the chance to work together under the same leadership team right through to their first AFL season in 2011.

“The AFL is pleased to be a partner with the Federal and State governments and the Gold Coast City Council to develop this excellent facility for the community. The new stadium is a critical part of the long-term growth of the game in the region and will provide local sports fans with a first-class experience of AFL when its completed.”

The Gold Coast Stadium was designed by Queensland based sports architects Populous, and is to be constructed by Watpac. Both companies worked on Skilled Park.

Senior Principal at Populous, Alastair Richardson said “The stadium has been designed with the players and fans in mind, we’ve aimed for the best viewing standards for all patrons to maximize the fan experience.”

The new Gold Coast Stadium will:

• Be home ground for the Gold Coast FC AFL team 
• Be capable of hosting cricket, entertainment and cultural events 
• Have a field of Play 171 x 144 metres 
• Have a 25,000 capacity (23,500 seating and 1,500 standing) 
• Offer 2,000 corporate seats with a range of corporate facilities, including: Chairman’s lounge, Field Club, Club Lounge, Corporate suites, BBQ Decks 
• Feature a large HD Video board 
• Offer Merchandising outlets and catering facilities 
• Have media, player and officials facilities