QIC Files Plans for Extreme Sport Centre

Plans for the first action sports centre by US giant Woodward outside North America have been filed for a site in one of Sydney’s growth corridors.

The 3650sq m facility is planned for a site on the corner of Showground Road and Kentwell Avenue at Castle Towers, 34km north-west of Sydney.

The DA has been filed by the Queensland government’s Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC) with The Hills Shire.

The nearby 392-store Castle Towers shopping centre is owned by QIC.

QIC said the project had support from the NSW government, as well as peak sporting bodies Ski and Snowboard Australia, Skate Australia and Gymnastics New South Wales.

The indoor Woodward Sydney facility will sit across three levels, allowing year-round training for skateboarding, BMX, scooter, snowboarding, skiing, aerial awareness, rock climbing and bouldering.

The facility will also have a cafe, bar, gym and events space.

In addition to providing an elite sporting facility, Woodward Sydney has already garnered significant recognition for helping to address the shortage of physical activity and recreation spaces in north-west Sydney: The project is being supported by the NSW Office of Sport and local schools are anticipated to utilise the facility for sport and physical education.

The NSW government has put in $1.8 million for the project through its Greater Sydney Sports Facility Fund. 

▲ A render of the planned extreme sport centre in Castle Hill, the first by US giant Woodward outside North America.

Founded in 1970 in Pennsylvania, Woodward has grown to be a global leader in action sports progression with multiple destinations across the US, including California, Colorado, Utah, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Vermont.

To date, 48 Olympic medals have been won by former Woodward athletes and guest pros as well as 125 medals in other professional contests.

 “At Castle Towers we’re building a transformative town centre that anticipates the lifestyle needs and values of the growing Hills Shire community,” QIC Investment general manager Matthew James said.

“The fact that Woodward has selected Castle Towers for their first destination outside of the US validates our long-term vision for the region and we couldn’t be more thrilled to be partnering with them on this endeavour.”

Woodward president Chris “Gunny” Gunnarson said Sydney was the ideal city for its first expansion overseas “given its history as a destination that embraces sports and commitment to the action sports lifestyle”.

“Woodward Sydney will be our most innovative concept to date—and a model for future urban centres.”