Carrara Stadium transformed ahead of Commonwealth Games

Carrara Stadium has undergone an expensive facelift ahead of the 2018 Commonwealth Games, which will be held on the Gold Coast in April.

Queensland will welcome more than 6,600 athletes and team officials from 70 Commonwealth nations and territories, with the newly-minted Carrara Stadium set to host the track events as well as the opening and closing ceremonies.

According to the Commonwealth Games Legacy Program, the $6 million transformation includes lighting upgrades and refurbishment, resulting in less maintenance, reduced energy requirements and easier broadcasting.

 The ‘venue [is] evolving from an AFL field to a spectacular stadium,’ the Games Minister said

Cararra Stadium is usually home of the Gold Coast Suns, and will be restored after the Games

The transition of Cararra Stadium, usually home to the Gold Coast Suns, into an athletics stadium kicked off in late 2017.

Contractor Cockram Constructions has recently completed the installation of a temporary 400-metre track and added additional seating to increase the venue’s capacity from 25,000 to 35,000.

‘This is an exciting time in the Games journey with this key venue evolving from an AFL field to a spectacular stadium where the eyes of the world will be focused for the Opening Ceremony on 4 April 2018,’ Commonwealth Games Minister Kate Jones told the Gold Coast Bulletin.

‘The track and associated infrastructure will be completed in time for the National Athletics Championships in mid-February where we will see some of Australia’s greatest athletes trial the track and the facility ahead of the Games.’ 

Gold Coast Commonwealth Games Corporation chairman and former Queensland Labor premier Peter Beattie told ABC that the games will be the biggest event in Australia this decade.

“I look forward to working with the board, the Government and of course the council to deliver the best Games ever,’ he said.

‘The track and infrastructure will be completed in time for National Athletics Championships’

Gold Coast Commonwealth Games Corporation chairman Pete Beattie addresses the media

‘The eyes of the world’ will be focused on Carrara Stadium, Games Minister Kate Jones said  

Prince Charles and wife Camilla will open the Games next year on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II

The 21st Commonwealth Games features 18 sports and seven para-sports, with Beach Volleyball, Para Triathlon and Women’s Rugby Sevens being included for the first time.

Other improvements have been made to the stadium, including corporate hospitality and function rooms, media facilities, commentary and broadcast booths, press conference rooms and athlete changing facilities. 

In addition, the Gold Coast will play host to Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, who will open the Games next year on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II.

Improvements made to the stadium include additions of commentary and broadcast booths

Construction is almost finished on a state-of-the-art running track and additional grandstands

The football field will be returned to its original condition before the start of the AFL season

Construction on the $105 million Commonwealth Village is also nearly finished – it was originally going to be located next to Carrara Stadium but was later changed to the Parklands area.

Three years in the making, the development incorporates 1252 permanent dwellings comprising 1170 apartments and 82 townhouses that will provide accommodation and services to 6600 athletes and officials, according to the Cairns Post.

‘The redevelopment is one of the largest urban renewal projects ever undertaken on the Gold Coast,’ said Queensland’s State Development Office.

‘After [the Games], the Parklands redevelopment will provide significant legacy infrastructure for a modern, mixed-used community.’

Construction on the $105 million Commonwealth Village is nearly finished after three years

 The village is ‘one of the largest urban renewal projects ever undertaken on the Gold Coast’

The site also features 7.3 hectares of green and open space including a ‘community park and extensive landscaped areas’.

It will house residential, retail, recreation, dining and medical facilities for the athletes during the Games period, according to Grocon Developments, and ‘is guided by environmentally sustainable design principles’ including the planting of 136,420 trees. 

At the completion of the games, the development will be repurposed for a residential community, with one- and two-bedroom apartment available for rent and purchase from 2019. 

When the Games are over, the development will be repurposed for a residential community