Premier Anna Bligh today stepped up the campaign for the Gold Coast to host the 2018 Commonwealth Games unveiling the bid logo which features vibrant colours symbolising the energy and excitement that is the Gold Coast.
Ms Bligh was joined by athletes Lyndsie Fogarty, Alex Beck, Sara Carrigan, Dylan Grant, Morgan McCallister, and Otis Gowa who unzipped their tracksuits to reveal the new logo.
“This logo captures the energy of the Gold Coast in a blast of colour,” Ms Bligh said.
“The Gold Coast sun is clearly present in the logo made up of 72 dots to represent each commonwealth country with different sized dots reflecting that the Commonwealth is made up of nations big and small.
“Colours in the logo represent the golden sand, blue water, green hinterland and red sunsets of the Gold Coast as well as the colours of competing nation’s flags.
“I know Australians will get behind this logo, get behind this bid and go for Gold Coast 2018,” Ms Bligh said.
Gold Coast Members threw their full support behind the new logo
Tourism Minister and Member for Southport Peter Lawlor said: “This shows we mean business and its full steam ahead for our bid.”
Member for Broadwater Peta-Kaye Croft said: “This a vibrant, inviting logo, which captures the celebration, excited crowds and great warmth of this city.”
Member for Burleigh Christine Smith said: “The Gold Coast would be a spectacular location for the Games which would showcase our great city to the world.”
Member for Albert Margaret Keech said: “This is an opportunity for long term infrastructure to benefit the Gold Coast for decades to come.”
Mayor of the Gold Coast, Ron Clarke agreed that the logo embodies the people and the excitement on the Gold Coast.
“When you’ve got the Queensland ‘x’ factor like the Gold Coast, flaunt it and that’s what our bid team are doing,” Mayor Ron Clarke said.
Queensland will formally submit a bid in May 2011 with the host city to be announced in November 2011.
Ms Bligh said it was important to get the logo out front and centre now with the first opportunity to really push the Gold Coast less than two months away.
“The Commonwealth Games Federation will hold its General Assembly in Delhi, India on October 2, the day before the Games begin, and the cities bidding for 2018 have been invited to make a presentation,” Ms Bligh said.
“First impressions count and this will be our first formal opportunity to spell out just why the Gold Coast is the ideal location for the 2018 Commonwealth Games,” Ms Bligh said.
“It’s currently my intention to lead the delegation and it will include bid committee chair Mark Stockwell and Gold Coast City Council representatives.
“It’s important we are there making the best possible case for the Gold Coast.
“A Gold Coast Commonwealth Games will bring a wealth of benefits to the construction and tourism industries creating an estimated 30,000 jobs,” Ms Bligh said.
The Premier said the Gold Coast would also benefit from a big boost to infrastructure to prepare for the games including:
- A number of indoor venues which post games will operate as community facilities
- An upgrade of the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre
- Further works on the new Carrara stadium to accommodate track and field, and
- Construction of accommodation for the Athletes Village at Gold Coast Parklands in Southport
“Following the Games the Athletes Village would provide new high-density housing and office space for the region, close to Griffith University, the new Gold Coast University Hospital and the Rapid Transit Stations,” Ms Bligh said.
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