A city-owned building in Surfers Paradise may soon be transformed into a major music events centre.
Councillors have supported the idea to redevelop the Surfers Paradise Transit Centre into a “Town Hall style venue”.
The venue would fit upwards of 2,500 patrons for live music, cabaret shows, banquets and other corporate events.
The space could also be used for art workshops, music studios, education, civic events and community-focused co-working spaces.
The bold proposal is now being investigated, with city leaders dedicated $200,000 to progress the idea.
IMAGE: Supplied
Councillor Darren Taylor says the location of the Transit Centre and the history of the site made this decision an easy one.
“In January, Council resolved to keep Bruce Bishop Car Park and the Transit Centre and as such the community expectation is that we will improve and make this precinct a successful proposition that works for them,” Cr Taylor says.
“The centre has been underutilised for a number of years and if we can transform this building, while retaining its unique features, we can create a multi-purpose civic asset that the community can be proud of and artists will want to perform at,
“This will also provide an opportunity for us to improve the aesthetics of the entire site.”
Council says initial consultation with key stakeholders within the city including community organisations, business operators within Surfers Paradise and music venue operators had been very positive.
Early concepts suggest the venue could contemplate the following features:
- Venue with a maximum capacity of 2800 pax (2200 standing capacity in the main hall).
- Wrap around mezzanine balcony on three sides with 400 standing capacity and with 200 tiered seats to the rear.
- Entrance lobby and lobby facilities at the eastern end along Beach Road.
- Back of house and loading zone.
- Provision of a significant outdoor garden and laneway area for outdoor activations, ad hoc community access and use and food and beverage offerings.
Council have committed $200,000 to progress the proposal for detailed design and analysis with a future budgetary consideration to progress the project in 2024-25.
