The Q unveiled as Queensland’s future premier destination for greyhound racing
In an exciting development for Queensland's greyhound racing community, The Q has been officially revealed as the new home for the sport in South-East Queensland at Purga, just outside Ipswich.
This announcement has sparked excitement and anticipation among racing enthusiasts across the state, as they eagerly await the 2024 arrival of a premier venue dedicated to showcasing the best of Queensland's greyhound racing talent.
But it has a been a long time coming.
In 2003 Beenleigh greyhound track closed, and then the Gold Coast Greyhound Racing Club's Parklands greyhound track closed in 2008 to make way for the Gold Coast Hospital which prompted the Queensland Government to offer up $10 million as compensation toward a new greyhound track.
Border Park which was officially a New South Wales track located at Tweed Heads but was right on the New South Wales and Queensland border, and was at one point highly utilised by South East Queensland trainers; but the gates there were closed for the final time in 2016.
The “on again-off again” nature of Queensland's long-awaited new track has a long and murky history.
Previous proposals for new Queensland greyhound tracks at Deagon and Logan have both died on the vine.
Logan was first touted as a potential site for greyhound racing more than 12 years ago, with Greyhounds Queensland commissioning a survey of Cronulla Park back in January 2009.
Logan's Cronulla Park had been the rumoured site of a new racing facility since the greyhound track at Beenleigh Showgrounds closed in 2003.
But by 2010, Queensland Racing Chairman Bob Bentley said the Logan option for a new greyhound site was dead in the water.
In 2011 Racing Queensland then launched an elaborate infrastructure review which took several months and looked in detail at three possible greyhound locations.
One of these was Deagon, north of Brisbane airport, which was eventually selected in late 2011 and became the subject of very expensive planning work by engineering consultants with plans for a multi-code development at Deagon.
Dogs and trots were to move from Albion Park, thoroughbred trainers would be forced to move their training facilities elsewhere.
Like the Logan proposal, the Deagon complex development went nowhere.
In 2019, the Queensland Government unveiled $39 Million plans for three greyhound tracks to be built at a premier racing site to be called the Greater Brisbane Greyhound Centre (GBGC).
By 2020, the GBGC was still in the planning stages, but the plans had still kept the three greyhound track design of a large one-turn track, a two-turn track and straight track.
The Palaszczuk Government had originally promised construction on the complex to start in 2022, with the first races to be held by the end of 2023.
Now called The Q, the development has retained the three tracks concept named Q1 Lakeside, Q2 Parklands and Q Straight.
In a nod to the industry's past, the broader precinct at The Q, incorporating the gardens, walkways and community facilities, will be known as Parklands.
Civil works recently commenced on the project which is earmarked for opening in August 2024.
According to RQ, the Q stands as a testament to Queensland's commitment to providing a world-class racing experience for both participants and spectators alike.
With state-of-the-art facilities and meticulously designed tracks, this new venue promises to deliver an unparalleled atmosphere that captures the essence of greyhound racing.
Queensland Racing Minister Grace Grace said, “This new world-class venue has been designed with state-of-the-art features that enhance animal welfare and racing safety,”
“From next year – The Q – with its unique name, will become synonymous with greyhound racing in the Sunshine State.”
Racing Queensland Chair Steve Wilson AM said “We're excited to have unveiled The Q as the future home of Queensland greyhound racing.”
“We undertook an extensive process to develop the branding territories, and throughout this process, we have endeavoured to pay homage to the past through the Parklands moniker for the broader precinct and the two-turn track, whilst looking to the future courtesy of The Q.”
“We want the precinct to be more than just another racing venue.
“We want it to be a place where the community feels at home and is proud to visit.
“A beautiful park for all dog lovers to enjoy.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime project we are delivering, and it will be enjoyed by generations to come,” said Wilson.
As the racing community eagerly awaits the opening of The Q, discussions are already underway regarding the potential it holds for hosting major greyhound racing events, and what that might mean for the current greyhound tracks at Albion Park, Ipswich and Capalaba.
If the final product lives up to the hype, the venue's modern infrastructure and commitment to excellence position it as a strong contender to become the host for prestigious races that draw participants and spectators from far and wide, and will likely hold greyhound races seven days a week.
That would surely spell the end of greyhound racing at other South-East Queensland greyhound racing venues.