The Gold Coast Arena is another step closer after councillors officially backed the next phase of the project following a marathon meeting.
The City’s economic development and investment attraction entity, Invest Gold Coast, yesterday presented council with its recommendations and an endorsed shortlist of respondents after completing the Expressions of Interest phase.
The entity had sought interest to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the Gold Coast’s largest indoor entertainment and sports venue.
According to council, respondents were assessed on “design vision, strong public value, capacity, capability and Olympic readiness”.
The 12,000 plus capacity arena, which has been earmarked as a Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games venue, would be delivered via a Public Private Partnership at Carey Park in Southport.
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said he welcomed Council’s support of the legacy project following the outcome of a rigorous assessment.
“It was important to ensure the EOI responses withstood the test for significant City investment and enduring public value,” he said.
“We will now inform all the respondents of the outcome and will be able to share more details in the coming weeks.
“Invest Gold Coast will finalise the documents for the detailed Request for Proposal (RFP) and manage the transaction process for Stage 2.”
The Mayor described the arena as one of the “most exciting city-shaping pieces of infrastructure the Gold Coast has ever seen”.
The next phase of the project is expected to be completed later this year, with a contract executed in early 2027.
