Turf Club CEO Geoff Weeks welcomes $10m new stables
North Queensland’s local horseracing boss is tipping the sport to continue kicking on in Townsville, thanks to the timely opening of a sizeable club expansion.
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North Queensland’s local horseracing boss is tipping the sport to continue kicking on in Townsville, thanks to the timely opening of a sizeable club expansion.
Townsville Turf Club chairman Geoff Weeks welcomed the Queensland government Minister for Racing Tim Mander to town recently as the first horse took up residence in one of nearly 100 new stable stalls made possible through government funding.
Along with the expansion to the stabling facilities, the suite of recently completed upgrades, totalling around $10 million in state funding, also included feed bays, wash rooms, horse walkers and improved parking and roads on the way into the facility.
Mr Weeks, who toured the facilities with Mr Mander as the first horse was stabled in one of the 92 new stalls, said the future for racing in North Queensland was brighter, with significant room for expansion thanks to the upgrades.
“More than 100 horses are in work at Cluden Park presently, and we’re excited to be able to offer even more on-course training opportunities for our participants through the completion of this project,” Mr Weeks said.
“Already we have received strong interest from trainers in South East Queensland who are looking to secure stables at Cluden Park in what can only be a positive for the industry’s growth in the region.”
The funding, delivered under the current LNP government, was first promised by the former Labour government and then racing minister Grace Grace, with $2.2m of the total pledged by Racing Queensland.
“The Crisafulli Government is proud to support the racing industry, with $7.8 million contributed to this project that supported more than 50 full-time jobs,” Mr Mander said.
“Cluden Park will take centre stage as part of the Northern Queensland Winter Racing Carnival, with the Townsville Cup and Cleveland Bay feature races on August 9 set to attract interest from across the state.”
Mundingburra MP Janelle Poole said the industry’s contribution to the Townsville economy couldn’t just be measured in dollar numbers, although the figures were substantial.
“Racing is part of the fabric of the Townsville region and its economic impact helps sustain more than 500 full-time equivalent jobs,” Ms Poole said.
“More than 320 thoroughbred races and 1000 greyhound races are held in the region each year with attendances exceeding 42,000 people.”
Originally published as Turf Club CEO Geoff Weeks welcomes $10m new stables
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