Uni Games locks in four
THE Gold Coast will host the Uni Games for four of the next five years, in a move being hailed as a major economic coup on the city’s Glitter Strip.
This year’s week-long event, which attracted more than 9000 student athletes from around the country, winds up today but will return for 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2022, the Bulletin can reveal.
Traditionally the Gold Coast has hosted it every second year but Tourism and Events Queensland has done a deal to essentially make the Gold Coast its natural home.
On top of that, a new format for the Australian University Games – with a Division 2 event in July and Division 1 event in September – will see it now coming twice annually.
It injects an estimated $11.6 million into the economy
each time and thrilled.
Surfers Paradise Alliance CEO Mike Winlaw said the commitment was “significant”
traders
are for Surfers
Coast.
“Surfers hosts the majority of those people staying so for us this is excellent news for our traders and businesses.
“They will be very happy to hear that news – it’s an event that gives a strong economic boost to Surfers Paradise and the Gold Coast overall so good job securing that.”
Surfers Paradise’s Shooters nightclub general manager Nathan Sudana said it was exciting and the Gold to know students would be returning most years.
“It is certainly a welcome influx of customers into the night-life economy for us here in Surfers Paradise, particularly following what is generally a quieter winter trade.
“We have been heavily involved with the Games and look forward to welcoming the students back into a safe and entertaining venue.”
Tourism and Major Events Minister Kate Jones said the