Spotlight on Games impact

THE potential for a ‘city changing’ legacy to sweep across the region in the aftermath of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games will be explored at Robina on Wednesday.

The final edition of 2018 Inside Scoop, hosted by City of Gold Coast Libraries, will bring Griffith University experts Professor Ned Pankhurst and Dr Alana Thomson to the stage for a one-hour presentation on the likely and enduring impacts after the closing ceremony on April 15.

Prof Pankhurst, the university’s Senior Deputy Vice Chancellor, will focus on the evolution of the Gold Coast’s Health and Knowledge Precinct, and future opportunities for collaboration between hitech industry development and world-leading research in health and science. He will also discuss the transformation of the Games Village postGames.

“These steps are under way already,” Prof Pankhurst said. “They involve identification of potential partners, assessment of facility design and business activity against agreed occupancy criteria and facilitation of discussions with Economic Development Queensland regarding land access and tenure. Two building proposals are well advanced.”

Dr Thomson, a postdoctoral research fellow at Griffith Business School, will be asking how the legacy of the Games is likely to influence civic pride and social cohesion for years to come.

Her research has used data from the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow to build an understanding of how a sustainable social legacy can be realised on the Gold Coast.

“The findings show it is very important for people living on the Coast to engage with the atmosphere and excitement of the Games, even if they are not attending any of the sports events,” she said.

“I would urge the local community not to isolate themselves from the buzz on their doorstep but to immerse themselves in it.

“This involvement will play a significant part in the generation of a positive and productive social legacy that will benefit the region in the years ahead.”