The Southern Gold Coast will reinforce its reputation for delivering unforgettable sport, recreation and camp experiences to Queensland school kids, locals, and athletes alike as the Palaszczuk Government invests in job generating infrastructure at the Gold Coast Recreation Centre.

Minister for Sport Mick de Brenni today announced that a historic $40 million investment into three Queensland recreation centres would deliver extra accommodation upgrades to the iconic 480 bed Gold Coast venue, as well as upgrades to facilities to improve accessibility, supporting 18 full time jobs.

“With the $5.4 million stage one upgrade completed last year, supporting 18 full time jobs, tradies were now working on stage two,” Mr de Brenni said.

“Giving kids and local community sport and rec groups the opportunity to use world class facilities means we’ll deliver a healthier lifestyle for hundreds of thousands of Queenslanders each year.

“No matter how much a family earns, where they’re from, or what a child’s ability is, we’re making sure everyone can enjoy the Gold Coast Rec Centre and the beautiful beaches surrounding it.

“Our capital investment plan under Queensland’s sport strategy – Activate! Queensland, opens the Rec Centre up to the local Gold Coast community, who will now enjoy more up-to-date, accessible and comfortable facilities, and be better connected to the unique river and beach setting of the Tallebudgera Creek and Burleigh Heads National Park.

“A new café features as part of the upgrade, so that Gold Coast locals, and visitors alike, can stop by when they visit the leisure centre and facilities, making it a hub for healthy lifestyles.”

Mr de Brenni said the first stage of the upgrade had created a more welcoming space for rec centre users and the community.

“We’ve built five new 10-cabin two-storey buildings, and redeveloped 25 cabins across five existing buildings to cater for the upgrades.”

Kane Constructions carried out the Gold Coast work and Project Manager, Alec Noble, said several of the subcontractors had memories from previously staying at the centre.

“We utilised the local knowledge gained by their site management team and previous successful Gold Coast projects, to employ local services and tradies,” Mr Noble said.

“Ensuring the facility can provide long lasting memories to the future of many more school children has been a great experience.”

Olympic Gold medallist and newly appointed Executive Director of Elite Success and Partnerships, Natalie Cook said she fondly remembers visiting the Gold Coast Rec Centre.

“I went there for a volleyball camp 30 years ago,” said Ms Cook.

“It has always been well known as a school camp destination but it has been transformed into an amazing community facility for everyone to enjoy.

“The welcoming entry with the new café and the facilities are world class, and the beach front accommodation makes it perfect for families to make it an active holiday destination.”

Mudgeeraba Special School teacher Ainslie Byass takes a group of 20 students to the Rec Centre every year and is rapt with the improvements.

“The accommodation is definitely more spacious, there are new bathrooms and nice furniture,” said Ms Byass.

“We really love it, that’s why we keep re-booking each year – you can vary the activities and there is so much to choose from.

“The instructors are awesome and the students are challenged to do things they wouldn’t normally do so they develop their social and emotional skills.

“They especially love the giant swing, kayaking, beach games, court sports, rock climbing and building a catapult to launch tennis balls.”

Through Activate! Queensland, a total of $40 million is being invested over three years to transform three venues on the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and in Townsville into Queensland Active Precincts (QAP).

The redevelopments of the Sunshine Coast Recreation Centre and Townsville Sport and Recreation Precinct will begin in late 2020.