Gold Coast contractors lead Broadbeach Bowls Club upgrade

Work will get underway this week on a $3.3 million upgrade to Broadbeach Bowls Club ahead of the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

Commonwealth Games Minister Kate Jones said the Broadbeach Bowls Club upgrade would enable the Gold Coast to attract national and international standard competition.

“Already two major events have been secured for Broadbeach including the 2016 World Junior Championships and the 2020 World Bowls Championships,” Ms Jones said.

“This club attracts up to 2000 patrons a week and the venue upgrade will cater to a mix of elite and community uses, support the development of lawn bowls on the Gold Coast and assist in the continued attraction of national and international events.”

Ms Jones said design, building works and irrigation would be completed by Gold Coast companies Hamilton Hayes Henderson Architects, Condev Construction and AllAbout Pumps and Pipes, while Brisbane-based Hawley Constructions would replace perimeter ditches to the greens.

“Commonwealth Games projects are significantly contributing to the Gold Coast economy, supporting local jobs and delivering world-class venues that will showcase the Gold Coast and Queensland to the world,” she said.

The Broadbeach Bowls Club upgrade will deliver four upgraded international competition standard lawn bowls greens, a modernised and expanded dining hall, meeting and office rooms, access ramps, widened footpaths, accessible amenities, a new commercial kitchen and raised outdoor terraces for improved spectator viewing and lighting to two greens.

Ms Jones said the upgrades, funded by the Queensland Government, Australian Government and City of Gold Coast, were part of a $320 million investment into sport and community infrastructure for the Games.

Federal Sport Minister Sussan Ley said the Australian Government’s $156 million commitment to the 2018 Commonwealth Games will provide a lasting legacy not just for south-east Queensland but for the nation as a whole.

“I know just how hard the Broadbeach community has worked to make this bowls club great, from a period of great challenges to being the premier bowls venue in Australia.  The local community will benefit significantly from this funding, not only through a boost from athletes and visitors experiencing this world class facility, but also through a sense of belonging and personal involvement with a strong and vibrant community activity,” Ms Ley said.

“No doubt the Commonwealth Games will continue to cement Australia’s reputation as a world-class host of major international sporting events following this year’s successful Netball World Cup, Cricket World Cup and Asian Cup – all hosted on home soil, and the Broadbeach Bowls Club will contribute to this by hosting the Australian Open for at least the next four years, the 2018 Games, then the Asia Pacific Championships in 2019 and the world ­titles in 2020.”

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said the upgrade of the Broadbeach Bowls Club would complement the Broadbeach master planning currently underway.

“We are planning the future of Broadbeach through community consultation and this upgrade supports the growth and development right across the precinct.”

For further information on the GC2018 visit aheadofthegames.embracing2018.com/

Media:            Minister Jones’ Office            3719 7530