Gold Coast City Council moves to develop new boutique sports stadium

Gold Coast City Council has announced the appointment of Jeff McAlister to the newly created post of Chief Investment Officer.

Following the city’s Cbus Super Stadium having hosted a 13,000 crowd for veteran rock band Kiss on Saturday evening, reports suggest that Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate has given McAlister him a mandate to fast-track a boutique stadium to allow the city to host more mid-level live music events.

Speaking after what was the first-ever the concert at the Stadiums Queensland-managed venue, Mayor Tate advised “Kiss was a cracking success despite the challenge of selling out CBus Stadium at late notice.

“We nearly got there but there were logistical challenges given the late notice of the venue and the fact that most diehard KISS fans had already secured their tickets for Brisbane, before the GC date was announced.”

Commenting on McAlister’s appointment, Mayor Tate stated “a priority for Jeff will be to assess where, and how, we can create a boutique stadium that will fill the critical gap between the large-scale Metricon Stadium capacity and CBus Stadium.

“A report will come to council in due course.”

McAlister, who commences in his new role next month, has previously performed investment attraction and trade development work for the Queensland, Northern Territory and New Zealand Governments.

Since 2016, he has served as Deputy Director General with the Queensland Government leading the tourism development portfolio.

In addition to the Council’s plan for boutique stadium, the Southport Sharks also have aspirations to develop their own stadium.

The Gold Coast Bulletin has reported that the Council’s project will have a closed or retractable roof and is planned for a site near the light rail route.

With the Council keen to host concert acts, Mayor Tate added “we want our future boutique stadium to have the latest bump-in/bump-out technology so it can host anything from e-sport to car shows, sports like football as well as concerts for around 8000 to 10,000 patrons.

“I plan visiting Spark Arena in New Zealand before the end of 2022 to see that facility first-hand because it is recognised as one of the best in the southern hemisphere and has hosted Lady Gaga and Beyonce with a capacity for 12,000.”

Cbus Super Stadium’s first concert 
Speaking about the success of the Kiss concert, Cbus Super Stadium Manager Kristian Blundell hailed the venue’s first ever concert a great success, declaring “what an incredible show for our first-ever concert, a blood spitting, fire breathing, explosive spectacle of iconic rock and roll anthems.

“Fans really got involved, it was a sea of black and white faces, costumes and wigs, as the Kiss army sent off one of the most beloved bands of all time off in true style.

“It was a short run-up with just six weeks’ notice but we pulled off a fantastic event, thanks to the support of Gold Coast fans, and we’re hopeful we will be the first of many concerts at Cbus Super Stadium now that we’ve shown promoters what we’re capable of.” 

Gold Coast’s live music scene makes a comeback 
The Council has also highlighted how its Music Action Plan has contributed $3.25 million towards the local industry, providing support to 20 live music venues, 40 music businesses and 47 musicians as well as promoting local live music globally.

Explaining the Council’s ongoing support for live music, Mayor Tate went on to say “our Music Action Plan has been a ground-breaking initiative providing millions of dollars in funding to revitalise the live music scene on the Coast.

“We know live music has always been popular with Gold Coasters and there is clearly a lot of support for us to continue to bring the coast’s live music scene to life.

“There is big demand for live music post COVID restrictions and we’re delivering.’’

The coast’s music scene has changed since the introduction of the Music Action Plan with Springtime Festival and the Gold Coast Music Network launching as well as expanded venues such as Miami Marketta, Vinnies Dive Bar and Mo’s Desert Clubhouse.

The plan helped operators through the two-year COVID period, providing relief and support.

More than 100 young people participated in the Gigmakers and Making Music Live programs and a further 29,000 were given networking and business development opportunities.

The Live Music Digital Toolkit has been created to offer a coordinated approach and customer service response for all City and music industry touch points.

The toolkit provides touring acts and festivals with a one-stop shop when it comes to Gold Coast venues, resources and permit applications.

Click here for more information on the City of Gold Coast initiatives to support live music.

Images: Fans at the Cbus Super Stadium Kiss concert (top) and Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate promotes the Kiss concert [in a photograph he will probably regret, ed] (below, credit Gold Coast City Council).