EOI opens for Gold Coast Turf Club project

The AUD$37.5m redevelopment of Racing Queensland’s Gold Coast Turf Club (GCTC) has reached an important milestone, with Expressions of Interest opening on the project.

Earlier this year, the business case for the multi-million-dollar transformation of Aquis Park was approved by the Palaszczuk Government, paving the way for a world-class facility to be established on the Gold Coast.

Racing Minister Grace Grace said the EOI would provide prospective respondents with further information about the project, along with the tender process and a procurement timetable:

Investing in infrastructure and supporting events-based tourism is an important part of Queensland’s plan for economic recovery from COVID-19. The redevelopment is expected to create 325 jobs during the construction phase and will add more than $100 million to the local economy.

The Gold Coast racing industry already supports almost 1,100 local jobs from trainers and jockeys through to hospitality workers, farriers and equine nurses. This project will transform Aquis Park into a world-class facility and Australia’s best night racing track.

Work at the Turf Club will see the racing surfaces completely modernised including the installation of an all-weather synthetic track, along with the latest technology in lights for night racing; an in-field tunnel to provide increased equine welfare and health and safety benefits; and increased commercial opportunities.

Following the EOI, Racing Queensland will select a shortlist of respondents to go to a Request for Tender later this month.

The project is then expected to commence following next year’s Hollindale Stakes in May, with the installation of the all-weather synthetic track, which is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2022.

In 2023, the re-construction of the course proper and installation of the lights is scheduled to occur, which will allow racing to return under lights from early 2024.

Submissions can be made online here, with the EOI closing 7 October.

For more information, visit the Racing Queensland website.

ALSD International provides year-round insights and learnings around increasing revenue through New Builds, Renovations, Service Expansions, Premium Seating, Hospitality, F&B, Technology and Reopening. For more information, click on the banner below…

The latest edition of ALSD International was hosted by Liverpool Football Club September 6-7, 2021, and featured a high-level conference with 40+ high calibre industry professional speakers, an exhibition hall showcasing products & services, as well as networking events at Everton’s Goodison Park and M&S Bank Arena. 

#ALSDInternational – Europe’s leading event for the Premium Seat & Sports Hospitality sector

#ALSD – Leading the Premium Seat sector for the last 30 years

#sportsvenuebusiness – The leading platform for sector news, views & developments