THE $3.3m reconstruction of the water-logged Mount Gambier race track will begin within 12 weeks following a $1.5m Federal Government windfall.
Regional Development Minister Fiona Nash yesterday announced the funding at the Allan Scott Glenburnie Racecourse, which has been plagued with controversy since the bungled works in 2002.
The beleaguered track has caused a string of race meeting cancellations, lengthy disruptions to training and the cancellation of the Scott Group of Companies Mount Gambier Gold Cup in 2015.
While it is too early to speculate if the 2018 Gold Cup will be affected by the track overhaul, racing authorities have vowed the fixture will go ahead.
The funding was announced as part of the government’s Building Better Regions Fund.
Thoroughbred Racing SA chief operating officer Nick Redin said the highly anticipated project would cement the track as an “all weather” circuit.
He said the project would begin within 12 weeks given this timeframe was a stipulation of the funding agreement.
“We will now work closely with the club and the local trainers,” said Mr Redin, who explained industry was pouring $1.8m into the Glenburnie project.
“We have done this before, we were involved in the Gawler redevelopment and are now at the tender-ready stage for the Mount Gambier project.”
Mr Redin said the entire main track would be “taken up” and then a new sub-surface drainage system and new turf installed.
“This is a massive project, it is $3.3m in all – it is great for the club and the region … it will make racing stronger in the South East,” he said.
“It will be our fourth new track in the state since 2009.”
Asked about the completion date, he said it would take up to nine months to build.
“It is too early to know about the Gold Cup next year – we have to work through that with the club and sponsors,” Mr Redin said.
“We will still want to run the Gold Cup – it will just be the date we will have to consider.”
He argued the project must start given the ongoing uncertainty, but warned it could take up to 12 months for the track to consolidate.
“There is always a temptation to run on it early, but you have got to make sure the grass has taken,” Mr Redin said.
He said the racing industry underpinned a significant number of jobs in the Limestone Coast and a new track was needed to drive growth.
Mount Gambier Racing Club president John Fartch yesterday praised the government for the funding and described the project as “very exciting”.
“The racing industry is a big employer in the South East and this redevelopment will help future generations,” Mr Fartch said.
Minister for Regional Development Fiona Nash – who flew into Mount Gambier yesterday for the announcement – said the project would deliver new sports facilities crucial to the economic future of the region.
“Providing a track that can host race meetings in all but the worst possible weather conditions will be a major boon for the local industry and the economies of Mount Gambier and its surrounding region,” Ms Nash said.
“I aim to help build the kinds of regional communities our children and grandchildren either want to stay in or come back to and providing community sporting facilities does just that.”
Federal Member for Barker Tony Pasin said the project would involve a full redevelopment of the track replacing topsoil, construction of new drainage works and installation of a new irrigation system.
“In addition to ensuring the sustainability of racing in the region, this project will deliver economic benefits through delivering consistent track conditions which will, in turn, improve safety levels for jockeys and their horses,” Mr Pasin said.
“The project will also promote increased local participation in community activities, including volunteering and fund-raising opportunities for local charities.”
It is not known if the multi-million-dollar Mount Gambier Airport application – also submitted in this funding round – has been successful given a full list of projects will be announced later this week.
