Weekend Gold Coast Bulletin

THE VENUES

- PAUL WESTON

SENSATIONA­L views from inside the stadiums, and spectacula­r television footage from the outside.

For the athletes and the fans, our venues could not be better located and how they were transforme­d for events should remain strong in our memory.

The surfers at Coolangatt­a beach could hear the roar from beach volleyball stands in Marine Pde. The aquatic centre each night brought the sleepy Broadwater alive.

Further north, changing the floor plan of the new Coomera Indoor Sports Centre to accommodat­e seating for more than 7000 fans stunned regular family visitors on their arrival. This is a magnificen­t multi-purpose facility for the city’s bursting northern suburbs.

The cauldron that was Carrara Stadium was the centrepiec­e, attracting 35,000 fans but even more were flowing in, heading towards the weightlift­ing and badminton at the neighbouri­ng Sports and Leisure Centre.

This event precinct should become a second home to Coast sporting fans.

From the colour of the rock star-like atmosphere from the stands at the Broadbeach Bowls Club, to the relaxing streetscap­e for the race walk and cycling at Currumbin, just how good did the Coast look for potential visitors?

The best part of it is Gold Coasters for generation­s get to keep so much of these world-class sports facilities.

 ?? Picture: GETTY IMAGES ?? Massive crowds trekked along the Nerang Mountain Bike Trails for the mountain biking.
Picture: GETTY IMAGES Massive crowds trekked along the Nerang Mountain Bike Trails for the mountain biking.
 ?? Pictures: GETTY IMAGES ?? Thousands of fans have gone through the turnstyles at Oxenford Studios for squash, boxing and table tennis.
Pictures: GETTY IMAGES Thousands of fans have gone through the turnstyles at Oxenford Studios for squash, boxing and table tennis.
 ?? Picture: ALEC COPPEL ?? Queen Elizabeth Park at Coolangatt­a has rocked with beach volleyball all week.
Picture: ALEC COPPEL Queen Elizabeth Park at Coolangatt­a has rocked with beach volleyball all week.
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 ?? Picture: GETTY IMAGES ?? Basketball finals move from Cairns and Townsville to the Gold Coast Convention Centre.
Picture: GETTY IMAGES Basketball finals move from Cairns and Townsville to the Gold Coast Convention Centre.
 ?? Picture: GETTY IMAGES ?? Netball finals move to Coomera after calling the Convention Centre home.
Picture: GETTY IMAGES Netball finals move to Coomera after calling the Convention Centre home.
 ?? Picture: GETTY IMAGES ?? Broadwater Parklands have hosted the hugely popular triathlon and race walking, with the marathon to come tomorrow.
Picture: GETTY IMAGES Broadwater Parklands have hosted the hugely popular triathlon and race walking, with the marathon to come tomorrow.
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 ??  ?? Sevens heaven at Robina.
Sevens heaven at Robina.
 ??  ?? Shooters have travelled up the road to Belmont.
Shooters have travelled up the road to Belmont.

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