Steve Noyce excited by the possibilities ahead of Wentworth Park’s closing
Outgoing NSW Greyhound, Breeders, Owners and Trainers Association (GBOTA) general manager Steve Noyce has revealed plans are well underway for a new home of greyhound racing in Sydney's west.
In December 2020, the NSW Government for the first time publicly declared greyhound racing would cease at Wentworth Park facility in 2027, following the expiration of the current lease.
While Noyce said it would be sad to move from such a historic and picturesque venue, he was also excited at the possibilities for growth in Sydney's ever-expanding western corridor.
There are a number of options he is looking at.
Blacktown City Council Mayor Tony Bleasdale, who used to race greyhounds, has previously gone on the record saying his council would be “extremely supportive” of a track in the area.
Bleasdale has also said a greyhound-racing facility would complement Blacktown's $30 million animal welfare centre.
Noyce believes greyhound racing will go from strength to strength in Sydney's west, as well as benefitting trainers and handlers, with travel times to regional NSW venues to be reduced.
A new venue would also offer a state-of-the-art viewing experience for greyhound racing fans.
“It can be a theatre for greyhound racing, just like CommBank Stadium (in Parramatta),” Noyce told australianracinggreyhound.com.
“It'll change the way we do grandstands. You'll have something where you're right on top of the action.
“We'll have some areas at the ends where you can have your marquees and your bigger events.
“One of the sights we're looking at has rugby league, so it'll be a big part of the community.
“Greyhound people can travel so far, and then the last bit coming into Sydney the traffic can be a nightmare.
“So somewhere around the M4 Motorway would be ideal.”
Noyce did concede it would be hard at first to move away from Wentworth Park, an iconic venue where greyhound racing first occurred in the 1930s.
“The NSW Government has made it really clear that they're not going to renew our lease in 2027,” he said.
“That can be sad and emotional, but then there's an opportunity for us to leverage off that and get government support.
“People have moved out of Sydney because younger people can't afford to be in Sydney.
“We've got an opportunity to build a brand new purpose-built facility.
“It gives (people in the industry) something to strive for. When I was growing up I wanted to play football at the SCG.
“We can get a reasonably fair settlement and build that new facility with all of the best practices and standards (for greyhound welfare).
“Right now we've got a number of options. We'll settle on one or two and work on that.
“Plus, we need to understand what government support we'll receive.”
It would be sad to leave but there are not many greyhounds being trained in the inner city.