LEADERS GIVE GAMES SPORTING CHANCE

RAY White Surfers Paradise Group CEO Andrew Bell has welcomed business community support for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games bid.

Bell, who also chairs the bid’s Business and Community Consultative Committee, says the response has been inspiring.

“There is a real sense of excitement and the prospect of hosting the Commonwealth Games in 2018 has served to unite the Gold Coast community,” says Bell.

“The enthusiastic support behind the city’s bid has galvanised the community and attracted favourable feedback from the delegates.”

More than 71 delegates have visited the city and inspected the region’s sporting and tourism options.

Bell notes high levels of community interest in the bidding process.

“On a daily basis, I never cease to be amazed at the huge level of awareness with many people stopping me in the street, calling me on the phone or asking me at functions how the bid is going,” he says.

“From national banks across the coast who play the promotional DVD and give away bid posters, to the local schools and sporting clubs – the ‘Behind the Bid’ campaign has really amassed broad support.

“It is a rare occasion we see bipartisan support and business and community groups collectively supporting the same cause and it is truly fantastic to witness and be a part of.”

Bell says local businesses have a good understanding about the benefits of hosting the Games.

“Although the actual event in 2018 will be remarkable – we are going to get immediate benefits should we be successful in winning on the day,” he says.

If the city’s bid is successful, infrastructure upgrades earmarked for fast-tracking will include the Gold Coast Rapid Transit, widening of the Smith Street Motorway and duplication of the railway line between Helensvale and Coomera.

There will also be a combined $200 million investment in a new indoor facility at the Carrara Sports Precinct (pictured) and redevelopment of the Southport aquatic and Runaway Bay indoor centres.

“There is a lot of work to be done for the Games and there is also a full program of lead up events that will be part of the buildup from 2012 onwards,” says Bell.

The outcome of the bid will be announced at St Kitts and Nevis on November 11 (Caribbean time). It will also be broadcast live at the Broadwater Parklands in Southport on November 12.