Smaller stadium still goer

GOLD Coast Titans co-owner and city business titan Rebecca Frizelle doesn’t believe the NRL club’s new stadium deal kills off the need for a new boutique venue.

Mrs Frizelle said a smaller 10,000 to 15,000-capacity stadium suitable for first-class sporting fixtures including A League soccer, rugby union and other codes, plus big-name live concerts, would be a perfect fit for the Gold Coast close to the beachfront and near light rail access.

Not only would it be highly accessible and allow for a more relaxed walk-up atmosphere easier for families to attend, it would be a superb driver of patronage for businesses nearby, Ms Frizelle said.

“There was an incredible atmosphere many of us experienced at the swimming and beach volleyball during the Commonwealth Games. We need to be recreating the atmosphere all year round.”

Asked if the Titans’ new five-year deal with options to keep using Cbus Super Stadium killed off the need for a new boutique venue, she said: “No, because at the moment the Gold Coast doesn’t offer anything to accommodate between 10,000 to 15,000.

We don’t have that intermediate venue. We have very big stadiums or very small facilities,” she said. “A smaller boutique stadium wouldn’t be able to accommodate all the Titans games anyway. This is about creating a venue that can be used for all sorts of sports and entertainment but is also accessible and highlights the natural beauty of the Coast.

“It needs to be in an iconic location that will further promote the city when its stunning setting is featured on TV.”

Momentum for a new boutique stadium is building with cross-code support.

Cr Tate initially spoke out in favour of it during the Titans’ protracted negotiations to pin down a better Cbus Super Stadium deal with Stadiums Queensland. At the time, he described Cbus lease costs — understood to be $110,000 a pop and well above market rates paid by other NRL clubs — as “ridiculous”. Locations remain unclear but Cr Tate has previously said he would earmark four potential spots.

Ms Frizelle said: “It would have to be in a location to drive better outcomes for business already in place. It has to be on the coastline near the light rail.

“We really don’t get the concerts we used to attract. They are going to Suncorp Stadium or they are going to the Brisbane Entertainment Centre. But what are we attracting down here? Metricon had the Foo Fighters seven years ago.

“What’s happening now is the big acts are actually staying here on the Coast and going up to Brisbane to perform — then driving back to the Coast.”

TITANS AND BUNNIES P100