THE $3m overhaul of the Allan Scott Glenburnie Racecourse track is expected to usher in a new era for the Mount Gambier Racing Club.
It is hoped the rejuvenated all weather racing circuit will drive new opportunities for the district’s racing fraternity, including a rise in the number of race meetings hosted each year by the club.
The previously water-logged track – which has now been ripped up and redeveloped – is looking picture-perfect after new turf was rolled out.
The new track is expected to underpin 24 ongoing jobs at the region’s premier racing facility.
Federal Liberal front-bencher Keith Pitt – who is the assistant minister deputy to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull – was yesterday given a close-up look at the lush new circuit.
While the development of the bungled track hit some hurdles due to funding, the Federal Government pushed the project over the line with a $1.5m grant through its Building Better Regions Fund.
The state’s peak racing industry group Thoroughbred Racing SA matched the funding with a $1.7m commitment.
Walking around the rejuvenated circuit yesterday, Mr Pitt said the creation of an all-weather race track would allow more races to be held over a longer Mount Gambier racing season.
“The upgrades have included earthworks, stormwater drainage system improvements and the replacement of the track surface to support events being held in all conditions,” Mr Pitt said.
“A longer race season means a healthier racing industry, which will not only contribute to the regional economy, but will also help South Australia’s thoroughbred racing industry to grow.”
Club president John Fartch yesterday welcomed the arrival of Mr Pitt given it was an opportunity to showcase the racing facility to a Liberal powerbroker.
He said the development was progressing well and exceeding expectations.
“Everything is looking really good – the roots of the turf are going down better than what we expected,” the club leader said.
“We have had plenty of rain and the weather has been mild – the turf roots have already grown down five inches.”
While there had been a number of “minor hiccups”, he said the development had remained on track.
Mr Fartch revealed racing would not resume on the track for some time given the grass needed to consolidate.
“It looks positive at this stage and we could see racing returned in February/March next year,” he said.
Given the redeveloped track should deliver greater certainty, Mr Fartch said the club was hoping the racing circuit could host 15-plus meetings each year.
“At the moment we have 11 race meetings, but if we could hit 18 meetings per year that would be magnificent,” he told The Border Watch.
He said this would generate “a lot of money” for the Mount Gambier district.
The club also hopes the new track will entice more trainers to set up in Mount Gambier.
Regional Development Minister John McVeigh said the upgrade of the track was progressing well, creating 12 jobs during construction and an expected 24 ongoing roles.
He said this meant more families in the city spending more, investing more and driving more jobs and confidence in regional South Australia.
