A MULTI-million dollar proposal will make the Muswellbrook Race Club (MRC) the envy of country organisations throughout the state.
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General manager Duane Dowell presented the MRC Strategic Plan to the Muswellbrook Chamber of Commerce and Industry at its monthly breakfast on Tuesday.
And, the $4m project includes improving the safety for jockeys and horses by moving the position of the finish line; expanding and renovating the Silks Racing and Function Centre; developing a feature race to carry sufficient prizemoney to enable it to progress to a “black type” fixture within a realistic timeframe; working with local council to create an entertainment precinct in an area, which overlaps with the racecourse land; advancing training facilities including the installation of an equine water walker or pool; continuing involvement with local groups for community support; increasing local employment, in hand with Racing NSW, with apprenticeships and traineeships; and much more.
Mr Dowell said the MRC was ready to “take the next step”.
“The committee and I are very excited by the plans in the pipeline,” he told the Chronicle.
“It would be a great facility for the town of Muswellbrook.
“Port Macquarie, Scone and, even, Tamworth have experienced upgrades in recent years.
“It’s our turn.
“With 18 race meetings scheduled annually, we maintain an excellent reputation for providing a high-rating country race club facility – and a track that is conducive to fair and competitive racing.
“And, the country charm of racing at Muswellbrook has not been lost either, despite the relatively close proximity to Newcastle and Sydney.
“The MRC receives a lot of compliments from locals and visitors alike.
“But, we now have the opportunity to build a facility to rival provincial race clubs by 2020.”
Dowell said the increase in country prizemoney, to a minimum of $20,000 per race, also offered great incentives for city and regional trainers to make the trip to Muswellbrook.
“They know that their horses will get every chance to perform at their best,” he explained.
“The introduction of ‘Showcase’ meetings in the country, for a minimum $30,000 [for each race], further enhances the appeal for owners and trainers – and helped to highlight emerging carnivals like our Muswellbrook Cup Day.
“The Country Championships has been an outstanding success since its inception in 2015.
“A concept such as that provides a fantastic occasion for country horses to race in a $150,000 heat in their area – Muswellbrook will host one on Sunday, March 26 – and a possible $400,000 final at Royal Randwick.”
EXPANSION AND RENOVATIONS TO ‘SILKS’ RACING AND FUNCTION CENTRE
THE expansion and renovations to the existing Racing and Function Centre is a critical element of Muswellbrook Race Club’s strategic plan.
Not only will it provide much-needed improvements to race day jockeys, officials and patrons but will also deliver a first-class facility for the Muswellbrook community.
Key features of the Silks Racing and Function Centre improvements includes:
- Renovated male jockeys room with a 30% increase in size. The male jockey room is the oldest (and original) section of the main building having been a standalone building for the jockeys since the mid 1970’s. It is believed to be more than 40 years old and the aged fittings in this area suggest that this is the case.
- Relocated Stewards room and doubling the size to provide a more spacious and workable space.
- Increase in size to ‘weigh in’ room by approximately 25%.
- Improve fixtures and fittings in female jockey’s room.
- Possible inclusion of a jockey’s spa room.
- Open plan racing office area and relocated communications room. New office shop front.
- New ground floor public bar and bistro with punter friendly TAB facilities.
- Increase 1st floor function room to comfortably accommodate approximately 250 people, up from 100. Provision to split the one space to two smaller function rooms. Open plan with improved and increased vision of the track in air-conditioned comfort.
- Three-tier terraced seating area for patrons.
- Viewing deck looking over the mounting yard.
- Relocation of judge’s tower to match the new winning post position location. Camera angles to be improved for better racing vision to television audiences.
- Larger winner’s room.
- Increased storage areas for catering and function equipment.
- Increased kitchen area in function centre.
- Installation of a big screen near the finish line to replace the existing semaphore (results) board.