AusLeisure

Village Roadshow has announced the construction of a $35 million golf entertainment complex adjoining its Warner Bros. Movie World theme park on the Gold Coast.

The new sports entertainment experience will be operated under the Topgolf brand, with Village entering into a joint venture with US-based Topgolf to bring its unique golf complexes to Australia.

The first Australian venue will be built on six hectares of land next to Movie World and will share an area occupied by a nine-storey hotel and lakeside precinct with restaurants and bars.

Announcing the development, Village Roadshow’s joint Chairman and Chief Executive Robert Kirby stated “we have been working on this exciting project for two and a half years, and we are proud to partner with the people of Topgolf who have created such a unique and memorable experience.”

Topgolf offers fun golfing games for all ages and skill levels, paired with an outstanding chef-driven menu, top-shelf drinks, big screen TVs and music in climate-controlled suites for year-round comfort. All the balls on the range are microchipped and score themselves, providing players with instant feedback on the accuracy and distance of each shot.

With Village having acquired the exclusive rights to bring the Topgolf concept to Australia, the Gold Coast development is planned as the first of up eight Topgolf venues that will open across Australia over the next decade.

Topgolf and Village Roadshow are also discussing joint venue opportunities in Asian markets.

Beyond Topgolf, Village are also flagging the release of a massive plan to “revolutionise” entertainment on the Gold Coast.

Village Roadshow Theme Parks Chief Executive Tim Fischer told the Gold Coast Bulletin “Topgolf is just one component of a multifaceted plan.

“We will announce it within the next 60 days but I can say that it is of significant gross capital cost.

“It will reposition and re-energise not only Movie World, but the whole of the Gold Coast. With (Movie World and Australian Outback Spectacular), we are a big peripheral development and that gives us greater potential to create a broader product.”

As for the appeal of Topgolf, Fischer added “I’ve just been at the opening of the Las Vegas Topgolf and while it’s a much larger market there I see similarities (between Las Vegas and the Gold Coast) in terms of loyal tourists and the market.

“It’s so much more than golf.”

Founded in 2000, Topgolf is headquartered in Dallas, Texas and operated with considerable success in the US and UK.

Image: The recently opened Topgolf Las Vegas, which features 108 hitting bays, six flashing multi-coloured targets, bars, large TV’s beaming whatever is happening in sport on any given day, a concert venue, a Callaway Golf fitting studio, two pools and a pro shop.

3rd June 2016 - WARNER BROS. MOVIE WORLD CELEBRATES 25 YEARS OF MOVIE MAGIC

31st May 2016 - FUTURE OF GOLF PARTICIPATION BASED ON FAN ENGAGEMENT

26th February 2016 - VILLAGE ROADSHOW THEME PARKS BOOST GROUP PROFITS

19th December 2015 - VILLAGE ROADSHOW PLANS NEW ROLLERCOASTER, HOTEL AND LAKESIDE ATTRACTION AT MOVIE WORLD

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