Major developer’s billion-dollar Olympic pitch for Sunshine Coast
A major developer that capitalised on the 2000 Sydney Olympics has pitched a billion-dollar proposal for the 2032 Games which could alter the shape of southeast Queensland.
A major developer that capitalised on the 2000 Sydney Olympics has put forward a billion-dollar proposal to build an athlete’s arena on the Sunshine Coast.
In what will be the fifth 2032 proposal for the Sunshine Coast, the Walker Corporation has put forward a submission for a 7000-seat entertainment venue in Maroochydore with a five-star hotel and athlete’s village.
The Horizon Centre, which Walker Corporation would be paid through a commercial partnership, could house 1400 athletes and is promised to be “realised on time and on budget”.
Walker Corporation executive Peter Saba said a public-private partnership (PPP) would be pursued with top construction company Built, and leading architect Woods Bagot for the multi-use precinct.
“The PPP model provides the certainty needed to deliver the Sunshine Coast the multi-use arts, music, convention, entertainment and exhibition centre the region has been in desperate need of for decades, while ultimately giving the Coast a world-class venue to host more Olympic competition or heats action,” he said.
The proposal has been touted as a significant legacy project for the Sunshine Coast, with the Horizon Centre to integrate a mixed public and active transport system.
The Walker Corporation has an extensive development resume including transforming the contaminated Sydney Rhodes Peninsula after the 2000 Sydney Games.
They were also involved in the developments of Sydney’s King Street Wharf, the Gold Coast’s Hope Island Resort, and Melbourne’s $3.5bn Collins Square precinct.
Walker Corporation chief executive David Gallant described the project as a “powerful Brisbane 2032 legacy.”
“The Horizon Centre has always been central to the Maroochydore City Centre vision to create a landmark economic and social hub which drives growth,” Mr Gallant said.
Built and Woods Bagot are currently delivering the $450m Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre together in Victoria.
Woods Bagot chief executive Sarah Kay said the company had the international experience to create what she predicted to be a “premium architectural icon” for the Sunshine Coast.
“The Horizon Centre will be a premium architectural icon for the Sunshine Coast seamlessly integrating the arena with a multi-modal transport network, providing a secure athletes village, and carefully blending open space, landscaping and community into a cohesive outdoor environment,” Ms Kay said.
The Horizon Centre will also feature dedicated carparks, and large open space areas for athletes to recover between competition events during the Games.
Built chairman Marco Rossi said the precinct would be a world-class sustainable event space.
“We are excited to leverage our global experience to create this architectural landmark for Maroochydore that will be a sustainable, world-class events space, while also providing critical social and employment outcomes,” Mr Rossi said.
Their proposition forms a submission to the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority (GIICA) as part of the state government’s 100-day review, which is due to be returned to the government by March 8.
Other Sunshine Coast venues that will be reviewed by GIICA are the Kawana Precinct and Indoor Sports Centre, Alexandra Headland, the Mountain Bike Centre at Parklands, and the Sunshine Coast Athlete Village in Maroochydore.
Originally published as Major developer’s billion-dollar Olympic pitch for Sunshine Coast
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