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With the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games opening ceremony less than two weeks away, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has today been briefed on the transformation of Metricon Stadium into the Games’ major sporting arena into a world-class live performance space.

In advance of the Games opening ceremony on4th April, Premier Palaszczuk explained “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 12 amazing days of sports, arts and culture.

“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.”

Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC) Chief Executive Mark Peters added “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.”

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.

Metricon Stadium, being referred to as Carrara Stadium during the Games due to its ‘clean stadium’ requirements, 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.

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

• Constructed a 3,300 metre² performance stage
• Installed 3,200 metre² staging to form the track for the Parade of Nations
• Installed over 8,000 metre² of ground cloth and 6,000 metre² of temporary roadways
• Installed 600 metre 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

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

Image: Metricon (Carrara) Stadium, courtesy of Mapei Australia.

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