Punching on

The case for upgrading the Carrara sports precinct is growing stronger

THE final days of Annastacia Palaszczuk’s long reign as Queensland’s premier saw plenty of controversial moments as she initially fought to stay in office while the political tides turned.

One of the more curious proposals was to spend more than $50m redeveloping the RNA Showgrounds in central Brisbane only to build a temporary stadium to house the Brisbane Lions and top-flight cricket for at least four years while the Gabba is redeveloped.

The proposal immediately drew criticism from across the political and sporting world. It was curious because there was an obvious and better option right in front of our political leaders – Carrara’s Heritage Bank Stadium (HBS).

Not only is it a great venue but it’s got a proven track-record of hosting not just the 2018 Commonwealth Games but the AFL competition itself during the Covid years. The logic was selfevident Plus, it was argued that, for the price of the RNA upgrade, HBS could be dramatically expanded and enclosed, bringing its capacity to more than 32,000.

Not only would this be a permanent legacy of the Olympic Games but it would provide a longterm infrastructure boost.

Now, a letter on the proposal has revealed something far greater has been on the cards – attracting some of the world’s biggest fighting competitions to the city.

Mayor Tom Tate, writing to the state government this month, said: “I can confirm that City of Gold Coast has held discussions with major boxing, wrestling (WWE) and mixed martial arts (UFC) promoters about the potential of the Gold Coast for major stadium events in those increasingly popular sports.”

This is a tantalising prospect, particularly for a city already punching above its own weight, proverbially. It’s already put its fight hosting credentials on the table with two sold-out Tim Tszyu bouts.

After bizarrely voting against trying to get a US NFL game on the Gold Coast this year, the city being in the crosshairs of UFC and WWE bosses should whet the appetite of anyone keen to boost tourism here. Not only would it attract tens of thousands of visitors but it would put more eyeballs on the Gold Coast.