COAST BUILDER WINS $15M TURF CLUB CONTRACT

Alder Constructions has been awarded the first stage of the proposed $35 million redevelopment of the Gold Coast Turf Club with construction set to start in a matter of weeks.

The Biggera Waters-based company beat four shortlisted contractors, including a couple of local companies, to secure the $15 million first stage which will include renovations to the club’s members bar and lounge, an extension to the Skyline restaurant and the construction of 10 new corporate boxes.

The work also will include a new roof for the member’s building and an equine swimming facility for trainers, all of which are scheduled for completion by Melbourne Cup Day.

The Alder contract has been announced by Steve Dickson, the Queensland Minister for National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing.

The $15 million investment is part of a $110 million capital investment program earmarked for Queensland’s racing industry by the State Government.

Dickson says 30,000 people directly affected by racing in Queensland would be supported by the infrastructure program being rolled out over the next four years.

“This is great for the racing industry, for those 30,000 people and particularly for the Gold Coast region.

Alder Constructions says the turf club project will employ as many as 40 workers over the next eight months.

Managing director Greg Alder tells Gold Coast Business News today’s announcement is “a huge deal for us”.

“It’s a really important piece of infrastructure for the Gold Coast and we want to be a part of that – a very high-profile job,” he says.

Alder Constructions has been operating in the construction and civil works field on the Coast for the past 10 years.

Previously works have included projects for Jupiters Casino, Movie World, Emmanuel College and the Gold Coast City Council.

Alder says although the broader construction sector has been struggling on the Coast over the past five years, his company has managed to “breeze through”.

“Things have been tight and tough, but because we have a building and civil works side to our business it has helped us get through,” he says.

RQL Chairman Kevin Dixon says planning is well advanced for the remaining stages of the Gold Coast Turf Club upgrade.

He says facilities are in “desperate need for a revamp” and the works will ultimately position the Gold Coast as a major support facility for existing metropolitan race tracks.

Dixon says the capital program also will position the Gold Coast as one of the dominant regions for racing in Australia.

Brett Cook, the Gold Coast Turf Club chairman, confirms the club is still in discussions over the relocation of the Gold Coast Show from Parklands to Bundall.

He says funding has been set aside for the proposal and a master plan is being drawn up, but the deal has yet to get over the line.