Hillcrest College unveils plans for $140m international sporting hub at Firth Park, Mudgeeraba

A Gold Coast school has pitched an ambitious $140m sporting complex that could transform young athletes’ access to elite international training programs.

Plans for a $140m international-level sporting hub in Mudgeeraba have been unveiled.

Hillcrest Christian College has developed the proposal to create the hub at the Firth Park sporting complex as part of its master planned upgrade.

The school has pitched the development to the Gold Coast City Council which has shown interest in the project, requesting more information.

The proposed sporting hub is the brainchild of college executive head Jeff Davis.

“Firth Park has always been at the heart of the Mudgeeraba community, and this project takes that legacy into an exciting new chapter,” he said.

Artist impression of an international-standard community and school sports hub proposed for the Gold Coast City Council's expanded Firth Park at Mudgeeraba. Picture: Supplied

“We want to create a facility where every young person – whether they’re pursuing elite sporting dreams or simply finding joy in being active – can access the same world-class opportunities.

“We are currently in discussions with several major American sporting organisations to bring internationally recognised development programs directly to the Gold Coast.

“This means our students can train in a professional-grade environment while completing their Queensland education – removing barriers and opening doors to genuine global pathways.”

Jeff Davis. Picture Glenn Hampson

Under the proposal, the hub would be a public-private partnership which would be owned by the council and leased to the school which would operate it on a long-term basis.

The school would contribute up to one quarter of the construction costs

Its facilities would include:

* six multipurpose indoor courts;

* a high-performance gym, weight studios;

* an allied health precinct;

* hot and cold recovery pools, athlete classrooms;

* a high-performance education and training facility suitable for international and national sporting programming.

The project has been pitched to council by Hillcrest College Picture: Supplied

It would also serve as a base for the Baseball Youth Pathway Academies and have a large auditorium and community rooms.

Area councillor Glenn Tozer said the council had seen a preliminary business case and requested more information from the school about the proposal and would look at it closely in the new year.

The project would be a public-private partnership with the school and council. Picture: Supplied

“The idea of having an elite student athlete program in the heart of the city on a site with M1 frontage and close to Cbus Super Stadium and the Greenheart at a place which 5000 people already play sports is super exciting to me,” he said.

“The prospect of having student athletes being identified and able to run through elite development programs so close to so many schools is great and seems to make sense.

Councillor Glenn Tozer. Picture: Glenn Campbell

“What they have proposed is generally in accordance with the masterplan we have approved.”

The council voted in 2023 to consider expressions of interest for a high-performance training centre at Firth Park, and approved the Firth Park Sports Precinct Masterplan earlier this year, as the council put the finishing touches on a $20m upgrade to netball courts, lighting and parking improvement.

It is expected to be officially opened to the public before Christmas.