Major upgrade for Mandurah greyhounds

18/3/06
The Carpenter Government has provided $750,000 towards a major transformation of the Mandurah Greyhound Racing Track.
Racing and Gaming Minister Mark McGowan announced today that the $3.8million project would be partly funded from the State Government's $25million regional racecourse infrastructure grants program.
The Western Australian Greyhound Racing Association (WAGRA), which operates the Mandurah track, will contribute more than $3million towards the upgrade from its own resources.
"This project will see the Mandurah Greyhound Racing Track transformed into a state-of-the-art greyhound racing facility," Mr McGowan said.
"Work on the project, which will see a new track constructed around the outside of the existing track so that racing activities can continue during the construction time, has already begun and will be complete by mid-September.
"At 603m, the new track will be one of the largest in the southern hemisphere and considerably larger than the existing 432m track.
"The project also includes a new kennel block, new track lighting, starting boxes, lure system and judges tower."
The Minister said the Mandurah track was WAGRA's only freehold racing venue and it was important to ensure that it continued to provide first-class racing facilities, particularly with the ever-increasing interest in greyhound racing in the southern corridor.
"The outstanding performance of Racing and Wagering Western Australia, coupled with the Carpenter Government's commitment to reducing wagering taxation, has given greyhound racing a significant lift in stakemoney over the past two years," Mr McGowan said.
"This upgrade will provide the industry and the local region with a further boost."
Mandurah MLA David Templeman welcomed the news of the grant and forecast that Mandurah would soon rival Cannington as the premier greyhound racing venue in WA.
"Greyhound racing in Mandurah is booming and the new track and associated facilities will create more interest and excitement," Mr Templeman said.
Minister's office: 9222 9111