Taree greyhound racing track to be ripped up for new modern sand track
The new Taree Super Track greyhound racing track project is set to kick off on Thursday as confirmed by Tanya Thompson, the Member, for Myall Lakes and Claire Pontin, the Mayor of MidCoast NSW.
On Tuesday afternoon, they took a tour of the site alongside Rob Macaulay, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW).
Macaulay provided information about the construction work on this state-of-the art facility.
The Taree Greyhound Club will host its meeting on Wednesday before bidding farewell forever to the grass track.
Starting Thursday morning, construction will begin on the track, with an estimated completion date of mid-January 2024.
Macaulay expressed his satisfaction and excitement about getting this long-awaited project underway after facing some unavoidable delays that were out of their control.
Participants from the Mid-North Coast area have been eagerly anticipating this development for quite some time now.
“As a sport, we know there is a real need for this facility on the Mid North Coast, and once completed, it will not only be capable of racing multiple times a week, but more importantly, this new track will be designed to be one of the safest in NSW,” Macaulay said.
Thompson, the Member representing Myall Lakes, was genuinely impressed with the plans for the track and expressed delight that construction is about to begin.
“Being here today and having Rob (Macaulay) guide us through the process and explain how the new facility will look has made this project feel incredibly real,” Thompson shared.
“It was some time ago when plans were first announced for the Taree Super Track, and now knowing that its completion is months away brings tremendous joy to our region.
“I can confidently say that greyhound racing enthusiasts on the Mid North Coast have eagerly awaited this day when construction would begin.”
The new greyhound track will have a 474.9m track circumference, increasing from 462m.
The surface will switch from grass to sand, resulting in a better and more consistent racing experience for fans and dogs.
Taree's new greyhound track turns will have a larger radii from 52m to 57m, transitions will be added, and there will be increased flood mitigation drainage built in.
The Taree Supoer Track will have three new starts: a 300m, 400m, and 525m.
A 300m slipping track will also be added, as will a new semaphore board and winning post and improvements to the kennels and tower.
“We are all stoked up here,” said Taree president Des McGeachie.
“It's a relief that we are now about to start, and people can see that it's really about to happen.
“It's very exciting. It was only a few years ago that we were Non-TAB racing for $300, then we became TAB and now we're getting a brand new loam track, something the people of the Mid-North Coast have wanted and needed for a long time.
“All of our trainers here have been looking forward to this day for a long time. It really is very exciting news for the entire community too not just greyhound people.”
The Taree Greyhound Club will bid farewell to the grass track on Wednesday as the final meeting takes place.