NEW GOLD COAST STADIUM MOVES CLOSER TO KICK OFF
Published Wednesday, 27 September, 2006 at 04:30 PM
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
Premier Peter Beattie viewed progress on construction of the new Gold Coast Stadium today and officially announced the new venue would be called ‘SKILLED Park’.
Mr Beattie said the future home of the Gold Coast Titans National Rugby League team would be state-of-the-art offering world class facilities for both players and spectators.
He said construction of the 25,000 seat venue was on track for kick-off of the 2008 NRL season.
“Piling of the foundations is nearing completion and construction of the Western Stand is well underway,” Mr Beattie said.
“Two tower cranes have been erected and an additional six supporting normal cranes are also on site.
“There are currently more than 100 workers on site and more than 2,000 are expected to be involved in the project prior to its completion.”
Queensland company Watpac are managing contractors for construction of the new stadium which will incorporate a range of facilities including a 500 seat function hall, approximately 100 open corporate boxes, 25 closed corporate suites and 16 food and beverage outlets.
There will also be management facilities and offices, landscaping, plazas and roofing on four sides by a 20,000 metres squared fabric roof structure.
Mr Beattie announced that national staffing services company, SKILLED Group, had secured the naming rights at the new stadium through the construction period and up to 2013.
The Major Sports Facilities Authority sought expressions of interest from potential naming rights sponsors earlier this year.
“Hosting major sporting events is big business and naming rights agreements bring in vital sponsorship dollars,” he said.
“Our Government is building the stadium through a levy applied to Queensland’s most profitable hotel gaming machine venues.
“However, the stadium will then need to operate on a commercial basis and hiring and naming rights revenues will be vital in helping maintain and enhance the facilities for fans.”
SKILLED Group provide specialist skills to industry in trades and maintenance; production and distribution; and technical professions.
They currently also have naming rights at SKILLED Stadium in Victoria - home to AFL team the Geelong Cats.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of SKILLED, Greg Hargrave, said the organisation had significant sporting involvement in the region and provided grassroots support to many local sporting clubs and community organisations.
“With more than 100 offices throughout Australia and New Zealand, SKILLED is committed to being involved in the communities in which we live and work,” Mr Hargrave said.
“We have a strong bond with the Gold Coast region providing support to many community organisations and through our sponsorship of the Indy cars and V8 Supercars.
“Our sponsorship of SKILLED Park reinforces our solid connection with the Gold Coast region.”
Mr Beattie said the Gold Coast Titans would play out of Carrara next year and kick off at their new home ground in 2008.
He said SKILLED Park was scheduled to host up to 12 Titans home games in their debut season at the ground.
“Queensland teams are a dominant force in the National Rugby League,” Mr Beattie said.
“Last year the North Queensland Cowboys played in the Grand Final and on Sunday the Broncos will battle the Melbourne Storm in this year’s decider.
“I am confident of a Broncos victory and I wish Wayne Bennett, Darren Lockyer and the team well for a great game.
“Next year the Titans will join the Broncos and the Cowboys in the NRL and we will have three Queensland teams competing in the best rugby league competition in the world.”
27 September, 2006
Media contact: Premier’s office 3224 4500
Mr Beattie said the future home of the Gold Coast Titans National Rugby League team would be state-of-the-art offering world class facilities for both players and spectators.
He said construction of the 25,000 seat venue was on track for kick-off of the 2008 NRL season.
“Piling of the foundations is nearing completion and construction of the Western Stand is well underway,” Mr Beattie said.
“Two tower cranes have been erected and an additional six supporting normal cranes are also on site.
“There are currently more than 100 workers on site and more than 2,000 are expected to be involved in the project prior to its completion.”
Queensland company Watpac are managing contractors for construction of the new stadium which will incorporate a range of facilities including a 500 seat function hall, approximately 100 open corporate boxes, 25 closed corporate suites and 16 food and beverage outlets.
There will also be management facilities and offices, landscaping, plazas and roofing on four sides by a 20,000 metres squared fabric roof structure.
Mr Beattie announced that national staffing services company, SKILLED Group, had secured the naming rights at the new stadium through the construction period and up to 2013.
The Major Sports Facilities Authority sought expressions of interest from potential naming rights sponsors earlier this year.
“Hosting major sporting events is big business and naming rights agreements bring in vital sponsorship dollars,” he said.
“Our Government is building the stadium through a levy applied to Queensland’s most profitable hotel gaming machine venues.
“However, the stadium will then need to operate on a commercial basis and hiring and naming rights revenues will be vital in helping maintain and enhance the facilities for fans.”
SKILLED Group provide specialist skills to industry in trades and maintenance; production and distribution; and technical professions.
They currently also have naming rights at SKILLED Stadium in Victoria - home to AFL team the Geelong Cats.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of SKILLED, Greg Hargrave, said the organisation had significant sporting involvement in the region and provided grassroots support to many local sporting clubs and community organisations.
“With more than 100 offices throughout Australia and New Zealand, SKILLED is committed to being involved in the communities in which we live and work,” Mr Hargrave said.
“We have a strong bond with the Gold Coast region providing support to many community organisations and through our sponsorship of the Indy cars and V8 Supercars.
“Our sponsorship of SKILLED Park reinforces our solid connection with the Gold Coast region.”
Mr Beattie said the Gold Coast Titans would play out of Carrara next year and kick off at their new home ground in 2008.
He said SKILLED Park was scheduled to host up to 12 Titans home games in their debut season at the ground.
“Queensland teams are a dominant force in the National Rugby League,” Mr Beattie said.
“Last year the North Queensland Cowboys played in the Grand Final and on Sunday the Broncos will battle the Melbourne Storm in this year’s decider.
“I am confident of a Broncos victory and I wish Wayne Bennett, Darren Lockyer and the team well for a great game.
“Next year the Titans will join the Broncos and the Cowboys in the NRL and we will have three Queensland teams competing in the best rugby league competition in the world.”
27 September, 2006
Media contact: Premier’s office 3224 4500