Gold Coast Sports And Leisure Centre Goes Gold

As the countdown for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games begins, the Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre is emerging as the centrepiece of the newly revitalised Carrara Sports Precinct. The Centre rises from the bank of Clear Island Lake in Carrara, Queensland, resplendent in an eye-catching, sub-tropical palette of yellow and ultramarine blue. Its sprawling 16,500m2 footprint is home to over 5300 spectator seats and 15 multi-use sports courts, which will host a number of Commonwealth Games events including badminton, weightlifting, and wrestling.

Designed by BVN Architecture and taking just under four years to complete, the $101 million Centre represents the best and the brightest that the Gold Coast has to offer in terms of sports training and completion facilities. Throughout the design process, BVN had to comply with standards set by the Commonwealth Games and International Sports Federations, as well as those of the local council. The resulting project embodies – and triumphs over – the challenges faced by high profile projects that need to meet high standards, and is evidence of how rewarding such projects can be when done right. It’s rare that a project so closely captures the spirit of the program for which it was designed: the Centre does this and more with flair, the bold, colourful design clearly communicating the vibrancy and high energy of the Australian sporting spirit.

To realise the soon-to-be iconic design of the Centre, BVN turned to Interpon Powder Coatings, the largest manufacturer of powder coatings worldwide. Drawing from their unbeatable experience as the trusted frontrunners in powder coatings technology, Interpon’s team of experts closely colour-matched the architects’ palette to bring their drawings to life. “We were able to work collaboratively with our Coil Coatings (liquid paint) team and Bluescope® Steel to match the corresponding powder coat colour to compliment the exterior durability required for the project,” said Gareth Connell, Interpon Regional Specifications Manager.

Warranty-grade Interpon D2015 Ultriva™ products in Carrara Gold Matt and Copper Penny Matt met the long-term legacy requirements of the Council and will hold their sunny colours for years to come. The Interpon D2015 Ultriva product range offers outstanding performance with a 20-year film integrity and 15-year colour and gloss retention guarantee.

The warmth of the project also reflects the human element that organisers of the 2018 Games are championing in the lead up to the event. “This is a special event… it stands for everything good about humanity,” Gold Coast 2018 chief executive Mark Peters told Inside the Games earlier this month. “We want to make sure the Gold Coast and Australia continue that.”

The gold-tinged façade is fitting in more ways than one: once the Commonwealth Games end mid-April 2018, the Centre will become the new home of the Gold Coast AFL Club, aptly named the SUNS.

“We are absolutely delighted,” said Andrew Travis, CEO of the Gold Coast SUNS, about the impending move, “I can’t wipe the smiles off people’s faces.”