Building history

Multi-purpose centres face a huge range of demands. Among them are high expectations of the facilities and the strain on building infrastructure by users. But they also include satisfying authorities on the building's appropriateness for the site and ensuring it doesn't negatively impact on neighbours.

The planning and construction of the new Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre had to meet all of these requirements, but was also expected to have contemporary architecture and form a distinctive precinct with a tropical resort atmosphere.

The building was designed to have several main uses: a conference facility for up to 2000 delegates, a banquet and conference facility for up to 3500 diners and tiered seating for 6000 for sporting events, entertainment and large functions. In addition, there is 3000m² of exhibition halls, 15 breakout rooms and space enough for 420 booths.

The $126 million facility is located in Broadbeach on the Gold Coast and has direct links to the nearby Conrad Jupiters Hotel and Casino. It provides a large, multi-purpose facility to cater to the increasing needs of the convention industry, says Peter Trathen, group general manager for Jupiters Limited, which is now part of the Tabcorp Group.

Trathen says because the project was for the state government, there were many meetings required before design work could begin. These involved negotiations with the State to settle development and management agreements for the centre.

Then the lengthy approvals process began a process made more complex by the fact that part of the plan was to move Little Tallebudgera Creek to the west and then reclaim the old creek alignment to form a 6ha site, as well as rebuild some roads and infrastructure.

"Building the centre in a boom market to a fixed budget was also a huge challenge," he says. "The difficulty in sourcing skilled labour was a continual challenge."

Trathen quotes some interesting facts on the building, an indication of the magnitude of the design, civil and construction work.

The materials used in the construction of the building include 26,000m³ of concrete (enough to fill 14 Olympic swimming pools); 1250 tonnes of structural steel (equal in weight to three Boeing 747s); 15,000 litres of paint; 20,000m² of carpet (enough to cover the playing field at the Gabba); 19,500m² of roof sheeting (enough to cover four football fields); 19,500m² of internal ceilings made up of 12,000 ceiling tiles (if stacked up, they would form a pile 190m high); and 14,000m² of plasterboard (enough to make a wall 5.5km long that would stretch from Broadbeach to Seaworld).

"The spirit of co-operation within the project team was a hallmark and key ingredient to the successful completion of the centre within budget and on time," says Trathen.

For more information, contact Jupiters Limited, PO Box 1400 Broadbeach, Qld 4218, Australia, phone (07) 5584 8900, fax (07) 5504 5239 or view the website: www.gccec.com.au.

Story by: Trendsideas