QIC has this month submitted a development application for Woodward, the global leader in action sports experiences, to open its first facility outside of North America at Castle Hill in Sydney, Australia.
The multi-level facility will be located at Castle Towers – a mixed-use town centre at the heart of Sydney’s booming north-west – and has support from the state government, as well 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 café, bar, gym and events space, setting a new benchmark for action sports in Australia.
In addition to providing an elite sporting facility – with unique training tools and a range of programs catering to all ages and ability levels from beginners to Olympians – 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 upon its opening.
“At Castle Towers we’re building a transformative town centre that anticipates the lifestyle needs and values of the growing Hills Shire community,” said Matthew James, QIC Investment General Manager.
“The addition of Woodward’s world-leading action sports facility speaks directly to that aspiration. 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.”
Originally founded in 1970 in Pennsylvania, Woodward has grown to be the global leader in action sports progression with multiple destinations across the US including in 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.
“Sydney is the ideal city for our first expansion overseas given its history as a destination that embraces sports and commitment to the action sports lifestyle,” said Woodward President Chris ‘Gunny’ Gunnarson.
“Woodward Sydney will be our most innovative concept to date – and a model for future Urban Centres. Woodward has historically been known as the place to go if you are an aspirational professional athlete, and we want all Woodward locations to be focused on empowering athletes of all abilities and age levels to safely progress on a clear path at their own pace using our unique blend of innovative environments, dynamic programming, and passionate staff. Woodward Sydney will epitomise that mission.”
The anticipated addition of Woodward further cements QIC’s long-term vision for a transformative town centre on its extensive Castle Towers site. These integrated developments seek to anticipate the needs and aspirations of the rapidly growing community of The Hills, while capitalising on Castle Hill’s position as a key transport node for northern Sydney.
