Dapto Dogs to cease operations after failed negotiations
The iconic Dapto Dogs has reached the end of its 83 year run — announcing they will cease operations immediately after failed negotiations to renew its registration.
NSW
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The iconic Dapto Dogs has reached the end of its run — announcing they will cease operations immediately after failed negotiations to renew its registration.
The Dapto Agricultural and Horticultural Society was in discussion with Greyhound Racing NSW for almost a year but said the organisation’s terms would put them at risk and forced the much-loved club into “an unwinnable position”.
Dapto Dogs usually race every Thursday evening, but after the club’s registration expired on October 31, Dapto Agricultural and Horticultural Society chairman Noel Leslie said the club was forced to pull the pin ahead of tomorrow’s regular races.
“Locking us into a non-negotiable three-year term forced us into an unwinnable and financially damaging situation without the certainty of our regular Thursday night timeslot and we have no alternative but to cease greyhound racing,” he said.
While the announcement came as a huge shock to most, greyhound trainers from the region said it had been rumoured for a long time.
Glenn Goodwin, a greyhound trainer since 1979, said he was “gutted” with the result, and while disappointed with the Dapto Agricultural and Horticultural Society, said he didn’t solely blame them for the folding of the much-loved club.
“[This has] been rumoured for a lot of years — a lot, a lot of years,” he said.
“We don’t believe the Dapto club is wholly and solely at fault, they told us they’ve tried to negotiate a different contract with Greyhound Racing NSW and they said all the contracts for all the clubs were the same [and to sign it].”
Mr Goodwin, as well as trainers Mark Suttle, Cliff Bell and Kevin Keys, whose father was president of Dapto Greyhounds for 28 years, visited the track to speak with the Dapto Agricultural and Horticultural Society on Wednesday afternoon following the shock announcement. But, after a few short moments inside the society’s office, they walked out, with security was called a short time later.
Mr Suttle, who has been involved in the greyhound industry for more than 30 years told the media the society had said they were “still open to negotiations” and hoped this wasn’t the end of the world famous Dapto Dogs.
Mr Keys, who “grew up at the Dapto Dogs” and has been training greyhounds for 51 years, said he too hoped a solution could be reached.
“To see Dapto Greyhound Racing Club say there’s no more racing at Dapto Showground is pretty gut-wrenching,” he said.
“I wouldn’t say I am hopeful things could turn around but I would say that Greyhound Racing NSW [should] become involved and a solution can be reached.”
While there are greyhound tracks in the nearby suburbs of Bulli and Nowra, the trainers said Dapto was “vital to the industry” and that it wouldn’t be the same without the club that’s brought crowds to the town for the past 82 years.
“I was in a bar in Las Vegas and [someone asked] where are you from, [I said] Sydney, [they said] which part, I said Wollongong, Dapto, they said “ah the Dapto Dogs”, Mr Goodwin said.
“Everyone knows Dapto Dogs and that’s the shame about the whole thing.”
Late this afternoon, Greyhound Racing NSW CEO Tony Mestrov said Dapto Agricultural and Horticultural Society decision was “unlawful” and that he would do everything in his power to get things running for tomorrow night’s regular meet.
“The decision is unlawful and contrary to the club’s constitution and, as far as I
am concerned, GRNSW will do everything in its power to continue racing at
Dapto – including tomorrow night,” he said.
“The Dapto Agricultural and Horticultural Society Ltd committee has made a
decision behind closed doors without consultation with members or participants
– and the Dapto community.”
Fifteen casual employees lost their jobs as part of the immediate finishing-up of the Dogs, with Dapto Chamber of Commerce President Ian Fitzgibbon noting the loss of the iconic race meets would have a huge impact on the local community.
“There will be concerns about losing the potential business that flows on from any time the Dogs are operating, as it has benefits for the whole community,” he said.
“It’s obviously a huge issue that will have ramifications throughout the whole community.”
As part of the shock announcement, Dapto Agricultural and Horticultural Society chairman Noel Leslie announced the club ad “plans and goals” to build both indoor and outdoor recreation, outdoor children’s playground, cafes, restaurants and a multipurpose hall at the site of the now-former Dapto Dogs.
“Dapto is a rapidly growing community and there is a great need to build recreational facilities for families and children,” he said.
“We have a progressive strategic plan and exciting vision for the future of the grounds, which responds directly to what the community has been crying out for.”
Originally published as Dapto Dogs to cease operations after failed negotiations
Greengrocer giant poised to bite into more Sydney suburbs
A fresh produce chain is eyeing plans to open stores in more parts of Sydney in a move to take on the big supermarket retailers. Find out where.
‘Pretty big ideas’: Mayor’s plan to ‘transform’ CBD
A plan to transform a NSW south coast town’s central business district is set to be revealed to the public, with the mayor behind the proposal speaking on the “pretty big ideas”.