Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Ready

AUGUST 2018

MODE was engaged by the Department of State Development (DSD) to deliver three venues for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

These world class designs include the Gold Coast Hockey Centre, the Nerang Mountain Bike Trails and associated amenities, and the upgrade to Belmont Shooting Centre for both the Commonwealth Games in April, and for future use by the community and visitors.

In conceptualising the design of these facilities, MODE aimed to deliver modern, relevant designs, which meet international sporting standards and promote community accessibility. The vision for these venues, as facilities which will enhance the Gold Coast’s prospects in the sporting arena, was fundamental to the development of all three designs.

MODE’s Gold Coast Studio Manager, Francis Greenman said it’s about achieving community opportunity and inclusion through design on an international scale.

“The methodology behind our design approach focused on more than just the tangible end products. Consideration of the way in which these three sporting facilities will bring people together during the 2018 Commonwealth Games, and ensuring that they are able to cater for large-scale attendance and events beyond the Commonwealth Games, were strong determinants in the design of these projects” said Ms Greenman.

The vision for the recently completed Gold Coast Hockey Centre was to establish the facility as an effective hockey competition and training venue. The integration and amenity of the Hockey Centre within the greater precinct was important. The upgrade to the existing clubhouse facilities included the refurbishment of the clubroom, meeting rooms, amenities, player change rooms, kitchen and cafeteria, as well as player dug-out areas and umpiring facilities. Carefully considered architectural planning allowed for the seamless flow of spectators and players between the club house, pitches and other facilities which make up the complex.

Currently being used by the local community, the Hockey Centre features two pitches with world class synthetic playing surfaces. For peak playing conditions, these are required to be irrigated, achieved using rain water harvested from the roof. Solar power provides electricity and hot water to the buildings.

Ms Greenman also said that MODE led the design teams which were responsible for the upgrade to the Belmont Shooting Centre and the Nerang Mountain Bike Trails venue.

“The Belmont Shooting Centre will host the shooting competition during the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games. This venue is home to several sports shooting clubs including Queensland Rifle Association and the Mount Petrie Bowmen. MODE is currently working with DSD to incorporate additional facilities for legacy use post the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. Safety and environmental considerations have been, and continue to be, paramount in the design development of this project.

“The upgrade to the Nerang Mountain Bike Trails included the master planning of new mountain bike trails and the upgrade of the existing trails within Nerang National Park. MODE’s design team worked with the specialist trail design team to sensitively integrate the trails within the National Park. MODE also designed the refurbishment and the additions to the existing facilities at the adjacent Gold Coast Cycle Centre, making them equally accessible to all users and spectators”, said Ms Greenman.

MODE, being a multidisciplinary design firm, provided architecture, landscape architecture, master planning and graphic design services to all three of these projects.

MODE’s focus for these projects was to provide excellence in sports infrastructure design and to deliver the greatest long-term benefits to the local community, enabling the growth and development of sports on the Gold Coast, at both elite and community participation levels.