Metricon win Gold Coast Stadium naming rights

The Gold Coast Stadium at Carrara will officially be known as Metricon Stadium following a naming rights agreement with the leading home builder.

The new $144.2 million venue will be known as 'Metricon Stadium' and will welcome its first full house when the Gold Coast Suns take to the field on 28th May against Geelong.

Suns Chairman, John Witheriff, said that the new club is delighted with the partnership, stating "we are extremely excited and proud to launch our partnership with Metricon and can't wait to play our first match at Metricon Stadium on 28th May.

"Through sharing similar values and with a genuine focus to embrace and engage the Gold Coast Community, I am confident this partnership will not only be of great benefit to both organizations, but also to our City."

Metricon’s Managing Director Ross Palazzesi said that Metricon sees the Gold Coast and the wider Queensland region as an area that is synonymous with a great family lifestyle and is core to the Metricon business.

"We are extremely excited and proud to launch our sponsorship of Metricon Stadium. Gold Coast Suns, the AFL and Metricon share many of the same community values and aspirations, making the partnership a perfect fit for our businesses.

"Through our sponsorships we focus on contributing to the communities in which we operate and the Metricon Stadium sponsorship, helps contribute to this objective. Metricon have been building dream homes for more than 35 years and we strive to ensure all our customers truly 'love where they live' and we are sure that this will indeed be the case for the team and all the fans that will enjoy this great new venue, Metricon Stadium.

"Metricon Stadium will become a key area for the community to congregate, not only during the AFL season, but in hosting a range of sporting, cultural and community events throughout the year, Metricon Stadium will be a truly community centric venue",

"Naming rights of Metricon stadium is the first of its kind in the home building industry and we’re proud and excited about what we know will be a fantastic era for the GC SUNS and Metricon as we both strive for success," concluded Ross.

Gold Coast Suns Chief Executive Travis Auld said the Metricon announcement is another glowing endorsement for AFL on the Gold Coast, adding "we have been absolutely humbled by the support our organisation has received from the corporate sector since being granted the League’s 17th license.

"Like the Gold Coast Community who have shown their support through almost 12,000 membership packages, we are also equally proud of the Corporate support we have received from established and proven businesses such as Virgin Blue, Host Plus and now our Stadium naming rights partner, Metricon."

Queensland Sports Minister Phil Reeves acknowledging the Government's commitment to investing in world class sports infrastructure on the Gold Coast, stating "events based tourism, particularly sports tourism, is vitally important to our economy.

"This stadium will be great for fans, great for tourism and will kick goals for the local economy."

Metricon Stadium Facts:

At 8.5 metres high x 23 metres in width, the high-Definition LED scoreboard is one of the largest in Australia.

The stadium has been fitted with 450 metres of solar panelling which is already producing solar energy.

The installation of solar panelling will generate approximately 275,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity per annum, or approximately twenty% of the stadium’s total electricity needs

There are currently 200 workers onsite, while up to 1,100 will have been employed throughout the construction phase.

Up to 700 jobs will be created per event at Metricon Stadium when operational.

Metricon Stadium 25,000 capacity comprising 23,500 seats and 1,500 standing room. With the addition of a permanent roof for the Southern Stand, over 75% of seats will be undercover.

Total cost of stadium re-development is $144.2 million. This funding is made up of : State Government $71.9 million, Gold Coast City Council $23 million and AFL $13.3 million. 

12th October 2009 - FIRST VIEW OF NEW CARRARA STADIUM