Goodwill Games

08/13/2001

Construction Kicks Off at Global Village

The first major construction for the 2001 Goodwill Games kicks off today, with dozens of labourers and truck drivers turning out to build a massive Global Village in the heart of the Games Hub at South Bank.

This is the first glimpse of what the public can expect to see during the Games, with only 16 days to go until the opening of competition.

Trucks arrived at the construction site early this morning, unloading tools, machinery and materials needed for the four-day dash to build several structures, including an 800-square metre merchandise store and two-storey VIP club.

2001 Goodwill Games Protocol, Ceremonies and Special Events Manager Patrick Burns said Brisbane residents and visitors were in for a wonderful surprise when the Global Village opened at Games time.

"This is really the first real preview of the Games Hub and the huge party atmosphere which is going to ignite Brisbane in two weeks," he said.

As part of the tantalizing preview, banners and display panels have been installed along the forecourt to welcome visitors to South Bank, which will officially be named the RED Centre for the duration of the Games.

A pedestrian bridge spanning 22-metres has also been erected across the Global Village to act as a thoroughfare during the Triathlon event on Sunday, September 2.

The atmosphere is rising in the Games precinct as hundreds of volunteers collect their uniforms and accreditation at the Thiess Building on Grey Street each day over the next two weeks.

"Even our plants are going to reflect the spirit of the Games with flowers planted across the CBD slowly blooming and sporting the Games celebration colour - RED," Mr Burns said.

The Global Village would be home to the Carlton Mid Club, The Superstore, Stayer's Pub, sponsor and corporate displays and a massive Indigenous pavilion.
The 800 square-metre merchandise superstore will house a collection of Goodwill Games memorabilia including sports bags, drink bottles, stubby holders, mugs, pens and key rings.

Autograph hunters will get a chance to meet and score the signatures of their heroes in the Triple M Fan Zone, as athletes turn out each evening to meet their supporters.

Organisations such as AOL Time Warner, BMW, Energex, Suncorp Metway, Coca-Cola and MBF will line the streets of the Global Village with interactive displays free to the public.

A massive, two-story purpose-built structure will house the exclusive Carlton Mid Club, the official corporate hospitality venue for the Games, which is expected to serve 350 high profile guests a night, including athletes and entertainers.

A replica Aussie-style pub will be temporarily erected as part of the Global Village, providing our international visitors with a taste of the Outback.

Sponsored by Carlton United Brewery, the rustic-style pub will feature an old tin awning, barrel dry-bars, milk tin ashtrays, and walls covered in horse shoes and other tokens from the Outback.

Nearby, a giant Indigenous pavilion will celebrate Queensland as the only state home to two Indigenous nations - the Aboriginal people and the Torres Strait Islander people.

The Pavilion will resemble Uluru and display original artwork from predominantly Queensland-based Indigenous artists of both nations as well as demonstrations on how to make a didgeridoo!

The atmosphere at the Global Village will be ignited with free Riverconcerts held on a nearby river stage on eight of the 12 nights of the Games, featuring Human Nature, Killing Heidi, The Whitlams, Collective Soul, Superjesus and more.

Media information:
Julianna Poli, 2001 Goodwill Games Brisbane
Ph: 07 3233 2159 (direct) / Mobile: 0405 148 037

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