Canvas and colour at support city
IT has two pools, a tennis court, recreation room and has had international athletes bouncing through its front gates for the past week.
No, it’s not the Commonwealth Games Athletes’ Village.
Welcome to the Broadwater Tourist Park, a little hub nestled hundreds of metres from the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre, where families from all demographics and nationalities venture to venues to cheer on their sporting heroes before gathering afterwards for a barbecue and beer.
Among them are the Atherleys, loved ones of Jersey swimming favourite Gemma, who are in Australia for the first time.
“We landed in Sydney from Jersey and have been cheering on together, walking from the swimming with others,” Jacqui Atherley said. “It has been very friendly. It seems like everyone who is here is part of the Games.”
Just a few sites down, under a collection of novelty Aussie flags, the Bourke family have transformed their annual Gold Coast pilgrimage into a sporting escape.
“I can lay in bed at night and hear a world record get broken in swimming without having to move a muscle,” Colin Bourke said.
The group, made up of a collection of families, had travelled from Queensland and Victoria to be present during the Games.
“We have been coming here every year for the past seven years. Last year it was the beach, now you can see an athlete jog past,” he said.
Though sites cost more than last year, the visitors were sure it was worth the price.
“We have been saturated by rain, but I don’t care it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” said Anne-Marie Lynch, Mr Bourke’s sister-in-law.
One of the first to arrive for the Games was Alan Cross and his family from Bairnsdale Victoria, who came equipped with multiple Aussie flags for decoration. He was certain other sites had copied his idea.
“I am pretty sure I put the first flag up,” he said.
A family of ironmen, junior athletes and former
WE LANDED IN SYDNEY FROM JERSEY AND HAVE BEEN CHEERING ON TOGETHER, WALKING FROM THE SWIMMING WITH OTHERS. IT HAS BEEN VERY FRIENDLY. IT SEEMS LIKE EVERYONE WHO IS HERE IS PART OF THE GAMES JACQUI ATHERLEY
Olympic torch bearer Katie Cross, Mr Bryan’s clan was devoted to enjoying the Commonwealth Games.
“We love all the sport and are watching as much as we can get to,” he said.
With half-a-dozen grandchildren in tow, the group was marching from the beach to events to the beach.
“We aren’t the only ones though,” said Mr Cross, gesturing to tents on either side.
“There is a volunteer next door, someone from hockey down there and one of the triathlon organisers out the back.”
Park manager Elly Wilson, who was able to watch the triathalon from the comfort of her office, said the park was booked out throughout the Games.
“People are eager to be here,” she said. “We had a couple from Western Australia drive here in just a week to make it in time. Our TV hasn't been turned off in the rec room. There are always people in their watching the Games and cheering on. The atmosphere is something else.”