Where is Evandale?
EVANDALE IS centrally located on Queensland's Gold Coast – a short distance from the tourist hub of Surfers Paradise and opposite the primarily residential and retail precinct of Chevron Island. It is bordered on three sides by the Nerang River and has a commanding view of the spectacular Surfers Paradise skyline.
The site is home to the Arts Centre Gold Coast, the Gold Coast City Gallery and the Council Administration Building and Chambers. Its key attraction is the surrounding 16.9 hectare parklands that is popular among locals for passive recreation and non-formal sporting activities. Accessed mainly by vehicle, there is a large bitumen car park that dominates a significant portion of the north-western side of the site. Car parking is also provided for Council employees who work in the precinct.
What is on the Evandale site now?
Evandale's transformation into a cultural heart and soul for the Gold Coast represents the next major chapter in the site's history. But the site's evolution should not be forgotten. An interesting history has led to Evandale selection as the city's current civic and cultural centre.
Scattered across the 16.9 hectare site is a wide array of buildings and structures, of varying age, devoted to civic, cultural and public use. As home to the City of Gold Coast Council Chambers, Evandale hosts citizenship ceremonies, civic receptions and civic-focus events such as Australia Day celebrations. Council's Surfers Paradise Administration Centre occupies the largest building mass on the site.
Evandale is home to the Arts Centre, Gold Coast, which, since 1986, has evolved to host a variety of performing arts productions along with its art gallery, cinemas, cabaret and function facilities. Public parkland and gardens, St Margaret's Chapel, a sculpture walk and pavilion also occupy the site. And asphalt covers more than 40 per cent of the total area, with most of this dedicated to car parks.
Evandale is already occupied and used, but Council's vision is for it to become a hub of activity and well loved by residents and visitors alike.
Community Events at Evandale
The Evandale area is used for many of the city’s key civic and formal events as well as informal community activities. Entrenched in the community’s heart, it is a popular destination for barbecues and picnics for large gatherings of family, friends and reunions, parkland weddings and training activities for nippers and triathlons.
Formal activities include:
- Australia Day Celebrations (about 12,000 people)
- Greek Festival every two years (about 10,00 people)
- Multicultural Festival (about 5000 people)
- Gold Coast Heritage Expo and Fair (about 3000 people)
- Gold Coast Relay for Life (about 2000 people)
- Gold Coast Biathlon Series
- Coast Acoustic Concert
Parklands
The 16.9 hectare parklands at Evandale includes large shade trees, a lake, a perimeter walking track, sculpture walk, playground, beach volley ball and barbecue and picnic areas. A large open grassy area is used for field sports and to host civic and cultural functions such as Australia Day celebrations. Other features of the site include a small weatherboard chapel for weddings and other functions, and the ability to fish from the rock wall that surrounds the site.
Evandale Lake
Evandale Lake is one of the city’s safe, calm-water swimming destinations. It is a popular playground for families and small children, locals for lap swimming and Nippers and Surf Clubs as an alternative to ocean training. The Lake was formed in the 1970s from earthworks for building the Council Administration Building.
Surfers Administration
In 1971 when the Gold Coast population was about 100,000, the the City of Gold Coast considered the preferred location for its Administration Building. Several sites were considered and were subject to extensive public debate. On 12 February 1971, Council decided that Evandale would be the preferred location for its administation headquarters and staff.
The the City of Gold Coast administration centre was officially opened on 11 September 1976. At the time it was considered one of the finest civic centre constructions in Australia. The foyer had a sunny atrium to reflect the image of the Gold Coast - tropical, sunny and a fun place to live work and play.
Civic Focus Building
The City of Gold Coast Council Chambers is a relatively new addition to the Evandale site. The architecture of this building suits the subtropical climate and the landscape includes rainforest species. The building includes the Office of the Mayor and the Chambers where Council meetings are held.
The Arts Centre Gold Coast
The Arts Centre Gold Coast celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2012. Over the years it has grown with the needs of the Gold Coast community. Born from the passionate desire of citizens to celebrate and enable participation in the City’s arts and cultural activities, the centre continues to perform as the largest regional arts facility in South East Queensland.
In 2010, the Arts Centre was renamed, rebranded, refurbished and re-launched as The Arts Centre Gold Coast. Rich and progressive programming, willingness to explore new business models and market opportunities, and a desire to connect with the Gold Coast community has seen the centre continue its growth into a market leader in its genre.
The Arts Centre Gold Coast comprises:
Gold Coast City Gallery
Since the city gallery opened in 1986 it has purchased and played host to a range of significant pieces of art. The gallery collection storage has reached capacity and additional exhibition space is greatly needed. This is in part the impetus for a new Arts Museum and additional storage.
> Link to The Arts Centre Gold Coast Gallery
Visual Culture - Previous Exhibitions
In recent years the gallery has produced a diverse series of exhibitions which help us to define and celebrate the cultural identity of the Gold Coast. Here is a small selection of exhibitions that give some context to the range of art and culture on the Gold Coast
Theatres & Cinemas
The Arts Centre Gold Coast includes a 1000+ seat theatre for live performances and two cinemas which host a blend of mainstream, art house and foreign films. There is also an array of smaller spaces and rehearsal rooms. These facilities require upgrading and expansion to fulfil the needs of the community and tourist demand.
Sculpture Walk
Set throughout the parklands, the Sculpture Walk includes 49 art pieces by both local and international artists.
Arts Cafe
The Arts Café is a popular venue for a coffee or meal before a film or performance. The Cafe opens onto a large deck and is ideal for indoor and outdoor dining.
