Carrara Stadium transforms ahead of the GC2018 opening ceremony

Published Friday, 23 March, 2018 at 01:11 PM

Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk

With the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games opening ceremony just days away, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk was this morning briefed on the transformation of Carrara Stadium from a sporting arena into a world-class live performance space.

“In just 12 short days the eyes of the Commonwealth and the world will be on the Gold Coast as the city welcomes athletes, officials and spectators to Queensland for twelve amazing days of sports, arts and culture,” the Premier said.

“This opening ceremony will connect the Gold Coast and Queensland with the watching world, showcasing the Gold Coast and Queensland’s creativity and diversity, whilst hosting the parading 71 nations and territories competing in the games with a party unlike anything Queensland has ever seen.

“The true heart of our ceremony is the incredible wealth of local talent, literally thousands of performers, choreographers, directors and creative staff drawn from across South East Queensland to create and perform on this one special night.”

Commonwealth Games Minister Kate Jones said the upgraded Carrara stadium at Carrara would continue to be an asset for the Gold Coast well beyond the Games.

 “The Games are the biggest event in our history and 1.5 billion eyes will be on us over 11 action packed days,” Minister Jones said.

“The Opening Ceremony is a chance to showcase not only this world-class venue but also the best of Queensland and I’m sure it will be a moment of immense pride for us all.”

Chairman of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC) Peter Beattie said, “It has been a privilege to watch the creative team develop a ceremony that I know will speak to the world, showcasing all that is great about the Gold Coast and Queensland.”

“The thousands of volunteer cast and crew, together with an astounding array of talented Queensland creative and production staff are working day and night, around the clock, to put the finishing touches to a ceremony that will live in the memories of all who watch for a very long time,” Mr Beattie said.

CEO of GOLDOC Mr Mark Peters said, “From the moment the Gold Coast won the bid to host the games we have been focused on delivering great games with great people and that is certainly the case with the plans we have developed for the opening ceremony.”

“The ceremonies team have travelled the state, engaged extensively with the local community and are focused on sharing our unique stories in a way that I know will surprise and delight the watching world,” Mr Peters said.

The opening ceremony will include the Commonwealth Parade of Nations, the Competitors’ Oath and the finale to the Queen’s Baton Relay, which started its international journey over a year ago at Buckingham Palace.

Commonwealth Games creative director David Zolkwer said, “When the world tunes in to hear what the Gold Coast has to say on April 4, we’ll be ready.”

“This city, with its connectivity to an awesome natural environment is the perfect stage from which to tell a universal story about, time, place and the things that connect us, whoever we are, wherever we are,” Mr Zolkwer said.

Carrara Stadium is part of the $105 million purpose-built Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre and following the opening ceremony, the precinct will be a lively hub for the Commonwealth Games, hosting the athletics, badminton, wrestling and weightlifting competitions.

15,000 Commonwealth Games volunteers will be among the first people invited to watch the dress rehearsals for the opening ceremony, with operational elements of the show to be tested on 31 March and 2 April.

The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games will be held from 4-15 April, with the opening ceremony broadcast Australia-wide on the Seven Network on 4 April.

CEREMONIES FAST FACTS

By the night of the Opening Ceremony on 4 April the Ceremonies team will have:

  • Constructed a 3,300sqm performance stage
  • Installed 3,200sqm staging to form the track for the Parade of Nations
  • Installed over 8,000sqm of ground cloth and 6,000sqm of temporary roadways
  • Installed 600m of trussing carrying 46 tons of audio and lighting equipment
  • Installed and commissioned 22 high powered projectors
  • Commissioned over 700 two way radios for show control and over 7,000 in-ear FM receivers for use by the cast
  • Distributed over 60,000 meals for cast and volunteers
  • Coordinated over 300 bus movements for cast to attend rehearsals
  • Managed over 70,000 workforce and volunteer performer shifts at multiple locations across the Gold Coast and Queensland
  • Over 400 truckloads of equipment for use in the Ceremonies

 

Media contact: Michelle Wellington 0437 323 834