Designers, organisers earn a gold medal for village
IT’S just days until thousands of athletes from 71 nations arrive at their home away from home on the Gold Coast – the athletes village.
And from the moment the stars of the 2018 Commonwealth Games step off their bus and clear security at the entrance, they’ll find themselves in a place catered solely to their needs.
While the dorm-style accommodation is more functional than luxury, the rooms are clean and comfortable.
There’s also no sign of the dodgy wiring, blocked plumbing and other issues that briefly led to the Australian team boycotting the village at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
The village itself is broken up into a residential zone, an international zone and an operational zone.
The six multi-coloured residential areas will house the 6600 athletes and team officials and include four residential pools, laundry services, refreshments and TV and computer spaces.
Outside the residential areas, the village has a medical centre, an Australian Institute of Sport-designed gym and a self-serve buffetstyle dining hall.
Para-athletes can also visit the on-site technical service to repair and alter their wheelchairs, orthotics and prosthetics.
There’s a hangout area complete with pool tables, arcade games, beanbags and other relaxing activities.
The village also boasts a 7ha green space “back yard”.
In the international zone, athletes can meet with designated friends and family as well as visit retail shops or just hang out at the bar.