Punters to get closer to the action through Angle Park dog track redevelopment

Punters will be able to get closer to the action than ever before once the Angle Park greyhound racing track reopens after its much-needed facelift.

Punters will be able to get closer to the action than ever before once the Angle Park greyhound racing track reopens in August.

Work has just started on the $2m project, which will take four months to complete.

The project, which has been mostly funded by Greyhound Racing SA, with some state government support, involves a complete track rebuild and a minor redesign.

Work underway on the $2m redevelopment at Angle Park. Picture: PAULA THOMPSON

Recreation, Sport and Racing Minister Corey Wingard said the upgrades would help the industry continue to grow.

“Almost 3000 South Australians are employed by, or engaged in, the sport of greyhound racing as employees, participants or volunteers right across South Australia,” he said.

“This important upgrade at the Angle Park track will allow the industry to continue to grow and support the local economy.”

Visitors to the track will also be able to get closer to the action than ever before with the redevelopment of the lawned area next to the track.

Before the redevelopment, fencing kept visitors off the area but that will be moved to allow punters to get up-close to the action.

The lawned area of Angle Park will be redeveloped to get punters closer to the action. Picture: PAULA THOMPSON

Greyhound Racing SA chairman Grantley Stevens said the revamped area would offer a great spot to watch the racing.

“Particularly in summer, it will be great for families, and for others, to get that bit closer to the dogs, and see them racing at speeds of up to 70km/hr,” he said.

Mr Stevens said the main focus of the redevelopment was ensuring the safety of the dogs racing at Angle Park.

“This project will ultimately deliver a world-class metropolitan track, the equal of any other in the country in terms of safety, fairness and presentation,” he said.

Mr Stevens said the country race meets that had been run since Angle Park closed for the redevelopment had been well received.

“The trainers are excited to have the opportunity to race at Murray Bridge but they’re also looking forward to coming back to the home of racing in SA in four months time.”

Work underway on the $2m redevelopment at Angle Park. Picture: PAULA THOMPSON

Greyhound Racing SA’s last major investment was at the Murray Bridge racing track, which received an $8.5m overhaul three years ago.

The last Angle Park race before the redevelopments got underway was run on April 8.

The western track has held race meets since its opening in the early 70s apart from in the late 90s, when there were some major track renovations and a closure for a few months.

But there have been no major works undertaken since the track was first opened 50 years ago.

There has also been a significant degradation of key parts of the lure system, track fencing and concrete plinths, which has become increasingly evident in recent years.

The foundations of the track including the sub-base, base, concrete gutters and drainage are also in need of replacement and modernisation.

The Angle Park greyhound racing track is undergoing a major development. Picture: Greyhound Racing SA

As well as the major works, Greyhound Racing SA also intends to undertake a number of unrelated minor projects during the Angle Park shutdown.

These include upgrading of the kennel house flooring, relocation of the wash bays to outside the kennel house, reconfiguration of the judges tower to ensure an optimal race vision camera position and installation of a new video board.

All Angle Park race meetings during the affected period have been transferred to Gawler and Murray Bridge, including the biggest night of racing on Thursdays.