‘Ridiculous’: State MP says hands off over stadium site

A Gold Coast MP has urged council not to consider a key Broadbeach hub as a potential site for a boutique indoor stadium, saying it would be an “absolutely ridiculous” choice.

Gold Coast City Council is investigating building an indoor stadium with an eye to hosting future sporting events and concerts.

There has been much speculation that the Broadbeach Cultural Centre near Pacific Fair could be a potential site for such a stadium.

But Mermaid Beach MP Ray Stevens told state parliament any such idea would be “nonsensical” and is demanding council steer clear of the former Albert Waterways Hall.

“I’m all for an entertainment venue on the Gold Coast, but to include this site as part of their planning considerations is absolutely ludicrous,” Mr Stevens told Parliament.

“The council has just spent $15 million upgrading the Cultural Centre, formerly the Albert Waterways Community Centre, and to bulldoze this excellent community facility makes absolutely no sense.”

Mayor Tom Tate is a big supporter of an indoor stadium, and council sources suggest the City’s bid for the next National Basketball League licence depends on securing a new facility. In September a report to council warned the Gold Coast had a deficit of indoor entertainment stadiums for its population and must pursue a new major event centre or risk losing billions of dollars.

City councillors, in a closed session briefing, were told Brisbane, the Olympic host city, will gain a stranglehold on the lucrative entertainment, convention and sporting market courtesy of the 2032 Olympic Games.

Mr Stevens maintains there are four other locations included as possible sites for an entertainment venue, with the Gold Coast Convention Centre a standout option.

“On the Broadbeach Cultural Centre site, we have the fabulous Life Education headquarters with Healthy Harold, the Giraffe, doing a great job with our younger folk,” he said.

“Also abutting this site is the Albert Waterways Community Kindergarten, a not-for-profit community group, who have been blindsided by council officers inquiring about the legal ownership of their kindergarten.”