Harley Park Labrador to get Gold Coast’s first ‘Ninja Warrior’ style course

A popular Gold Coast playground has been closed – but only so it can be transformed into a first of its kind attraction. FULL DETAILS

A popular Gold Coast playground is to be transformed into a Ninja Warrior style course in a $325,000 investment by council.

Locals were surprised on Friday to see contractors begin to dismantle a playground at Harley Park in Labrador, just 24 hours after it had been thronged by children enjoying time off on Australia Day.

A playground at Harley Park in Labrador closed off ahead of its replacement with a new Ninja Warrior style course. Picture: Keith Woods.

Division 7 councillor Ryan Bayldon-Lumsden said it was the start of work to replace the ageing playground with a new ‘Ninja Warrior’ style attraction, which would be the first of its kind on the Gold Coast and one of the biggest in Queensland.

“The playground there was at the end of its life, so it was going to be $225,000 anyway to replace it,” Bayldon-Lumsden said.

“It was a good opportunity to put in a new playground. There is no other Ninja Warrior course in the city.

“At that point I put in an extra $100,000 from local area funds to make it next level.”

Cr Bayldon-Lumsden said locals were “really excited” about plans for the new attraction, which will have 15 apparatus allowing for two skill levels.

The course is expected to open in April, with plans afoot for a family fun day to celebrate during the June/July school holidays.

“A lot of people are really excited for it,” he said.

“Once people have had a month or two to get the feel for it we’ll have a fun day, competition day, and encourage people from around the city to come down and have a go.”

Cr Ryan Bayldon-Lumsden trying out a Ninja Warrior course at Guyatt Park in Brisbane.

Cr Bayldon-Lumsden, a former gymnast, said he was among those eager to try the course out.

“100 per cent,” he said. “I’ll be trying to win the competition.”

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