Push for harness racing to return to Gold Coast

THE homeless Gold Coast Harness Racing Club is looking at building a swish complex closer to the city to drag the sport back on to the Glitter Strip.

Harness racing at Parkland Showgrounds has been missing from the Gold Coast since 2013

THE homeless Gold Coast Harness Racing Club is looking at building a swish complex closer to the city to drag the sport back on to the Glitter Strip.

GCHRC boss Barry Grimsey has revealed a bold ploy to construct a track “closer to the crowds”.

He said it would also cater for greyhound racing, indoor cricket, caravan shows and music concerts.

Mr Grimsey expected to reveal the possible sites within a month.

The proposal comes days after Racing Queensland (RQ) called for interest on the development of harness and greyhound racing facilities in the southern and western corridors of Brisbane and is in contrast to construction baron Kevin Seymour’s backing of a track north of the Coast.

He is supporting a proposal by the Yatala Harness Racing Club for the corner of Zipfs and Alberton roads.

The GCHRC has led a nomadic life since being kicked out of Parklands in 2013 to make way for the Commonwealth Games athletes village.

Harness racing made way for the Commonwealth Games Athlete’s Village at Parklands. Photo: AAP Image/Dave Hunt)

The club has withdrawn threat of legal action over $10.2 million compensation promised by the State Government and it no longer holds stand-alone meetings at Albion Park, Brisbane.

“Our idea would be a multipurpose complex exactly like Parklands,” said Mr Grimsey.

“It’s a reinvented Parklands site with more features.

“Everyone knows you have to have an outside income stream and we are aware of it.

“The type of land we are looking for we can accommodate that.

“Parklands was more or less the best complex in Australia with the best facilities.

“The dogs were on the one side and we were on the other, and it’s the same sort of thing we’re looking at now.”

While still welcome to the idea of being based further north, Grimsey says his preference is now closer to the city to cash in on crowds.

“We have got a few sites in mind on the Gold Coast itself and hopefully in the next two or three weeks we will get some confirmation on that,” he said.

“You’d say they (the sites) are from Bundall down, in that corridor.

“We don’t want to be isolated in the middle of nowhere.

“We have some very good options and we are at the final stages of negotiations now.”

RQ chief executive Dr Eliot Forbes said he hoped the planning process, which leaves five weeks to lodge a submission and is bankrolled by the Racing Infrastructure Fund, would lure a number of tenders.

“What we are launching will result in a major step for harness and greyhound racing which will enhance safety, provide state-of-the-art facilities and a platform to grow both codes with new participants and race fans in regions where there is growing demand for sporting and entertainment choice,” he said.

RQ WISHLIST

* Land size of preferably 10-12 hectares for greyhound sites and 15-20 for harness.

* Relatively flat topography with access to water — river, creek, dam or bore.

* Access to major roads.

* Appropriate council zoning or likelihood of being rezoned.

* Racing aligned development such as clubs, functions, veterinary services etc.

* Ability to provide non-racing development/income.

* Consideration of establishing public facilities to achieve community building and placemaking.