THE $3.3m overhaul of the Allan Scott Glenburnie Racecourse will usher in a new era for the Mount Gambier Racing Club, which has been plagued with race day cancellations due to the track’s water-logging and drainage issues.
The track’s grass has now been stripped away and an extensive drainage system is being rolled out.
While the works have triggered frustration among some trainers due to the closure of the steeplechase grass circuit, this important training circuit could reopen as early as next week.
The redesign blueprint – including extensive new drainage and irrigation systems – has been mirrored on a number of prominent racecourses, including Morphettville, Gawler and the new Murray Bridge track.
Mount Gambier Racing Club general manager Brett Watson said the project was “on track” in terms of time and the budget.
He said the track’s design was based on “best practice” within the industry and reassured the community no short cuts were being taken.
“The contractors have stripped the old growing medium and it is now at the grade-level of where it will be built up from,” Mr Watson said.
“Irrigation and drainage is now going in, which is starting down the back straight and they will work their way around.”
Mr Watson said the sub-surface drainage system was also likely to start shortly, which would see the 65mm ag-pipe go in every four metres across the track.
The racecourse manager revealed crushed rock would also be laid as well as sand and the new growing medium.
“Hopefully by the end of April it will be pretty much done and then we have to wait 12 months for the grass to consolidate and grow,” Mr Watson said.
He said the club also planned to collect data over the 12 months to see how well the circuit was draining.
“So we will know how well it will react leading into next year’s racing season,” Mr Watson explained.
He said the club was planning to run at least one race meeting and maybe some “jump-outs” to test the track.
Regarding the disruptions to regional trainers, Mr Watson said the closure of the grass track was unavoidable given the works.
Mr Watson conceded some trainers had been “annoyed”, but the club had subsidised their use of the Millicent track in the “short-term”.
“The steeplechase grass track is due to open next week hopefully – it has been closed for the past five to six weeks to try and speed up the process.”
Regarding what they found underneath the water-logged surface, Mr Watson said there were no rocks or road base.
“There was just no drainage and it was fairly compacted, which meant there was nowhere for the water to go,” he said.
The works are being undertaken by regional contractors, including Gambier Earthmovers, JB Irrigation and Blue Lake Turf.
“We have had people every day since mid-December working on the project,” Mr Watson said.
The project is being funded by a $1.8m commitment from Thoroughbred Racing SA and $1.5m from the Federal Government.
