Trackside lagoons, hotels and a light rail connection: Vision for Turf Club revamp

The Gold Coast racing scene will be revolutionised by the time 2030 rolls around with trackside lagoons, night racing and a push for a light rail connection.

Supplied image of the proposed lights at the Gold Coast Turf Club.

The Gold Coast racing scene will be revolutionised by the time 2030 rolls around with trackside lagoons, night racing and a push for a light rail connection.

The Gold Coast Turf Club is putting the finishing touches on a revamped masterplan, set to be completed in the coming weeks.

It is a vision that will see the Bundall track works towards becoming a multi-use facility and training precinct that will help it become Australia’s version of Hong Kong’s famed Happy Valley.

Racing at Aquis Park Gold Coast Turf Club. Photo by Richard Gosling

The Queensland Government has confirmed it's commitment to delivering the $38 million needed for the remediation of the course proper, lights for night racing, a tunnel to allow horse movement and carparking on the infield and training tracks.

The club’s four training tracks will be replaced by a 17-metre wide synthetic track, similar to those at Warwick Farm and Pakenham, and a 20m wide turf training track.

The upgrades could be completed within two years once Treasury supplies the funding.

CEO Steve Lines said the 2022 Magic Millions — which has revealed a second big race day preceding the yearling sales festival in January — could host the city’s first meeting held under lights.

CEO Steve Lines. Picture: John Gass

“Our plan is to put the synthetic track in next year so we can continue racing and work on the other surfaces,” Mr Lines said.

“We will run the 2021 Magic Millions on the current grass before beginning the refurbishment of it the day after. We expect the upgrade of the course proper would be finished around the end of 2021.”

Mr Lines said the club had already approached Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate to float the idea of extending light rail to the track and a ferry terminal off Daimier Drive in Bundall.

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Cr Tate has previously said: “My priority right now is getting the light rail extended to the airport. Once that is underway we would start looking at new lines linking east to west along key corridors.

“Community feedback and transport modelling would be key factors in deciding these routes. The turf club is one of many ideas in the mix and I look forward to exploring all possibilities.”

Punters can watch the race and eat food in their restaurant.

A planned upgrade of the turf club’s Traintech facility, where horses are stabled, will enable them to house around 260 horses and open the door for international trainers from Hong Kong to fly horses in and out of the Gold Coast. This will open up further racing and breeding opportunities.

Situated in the centre of the land will be a lagoon featuring a beach and grandstands for concerts.

Off the track the club is to build four towers for a four-storey boutique apartment complex offering views of the racecourse and city’s coastline. It is one of the gems in the multimillion-dollar redevelopment of the turf club precinct.

As part of its masterplan, the club also wants to replace some trackside stables and its popular Dome VIP entertainment facility with two or three unit complexes that will include a motel chain, residential apartments, childcare centre and day-spa for jockeys.

Mr Lines said 2030 would see improved betting turnover on the back of the developments for a club that could turn it from a not-for-profit to for-profit business on the back of increased commercialisation.