Muswellbrook will now boast a state-of-the-art greyhound racing track to match fellow Hunter venues The Gardens and Maitland.
The facility recently underwent a much-needed $3 million redevelopment, following the remediation and re-profiling of the circuit and the turf surface, the installation of a safety rail, safety padding on the turns and in the catching pen, and a Safechase lure system.
Insulation and air-conditioning were also installed in the kennels.
Other work included new starting boxes and synthetic mats, while a swabbing bay and stewards’ room have been built.
And, to celebrate the grand opening, the Muswellbrook Greyhound Club will host an historic TAB meeting – its first ever – and family day on Sunday 16 April.
“It’s a very exciting time not only for our racing participants in the region – which is a heartland of our sport in NSW – but for the community in and around Muswellbrook,” Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) chief executive officer Rob Macaulay said.
“What greyhound racing does within local communities, is that it supports livelihoods of participants and but there are also flow on benefits throughout the towns.
“We estimate the facility will bring an additional $20 million into the Muswellbrook economy… and 20 additional jobs.
“The local community will see an influx into the economy from those coming to race, and, as part of a new GRNSW policy initiated last year, local suppliers were the preferred supplies for work, and will continue to be.”
GRNSW purchased the track from the Greyhound Breeders, Owners & Trainers Association in 2021 with the aim of rebuilding the facility.
The last meeting staged at Muswellbrook was an 11-race, non-TAB card on August 1 2021.
“The reason why we are investing in these tracks around the state is to bring all of our racetracks up to the safest standard for our greyhounds,” Mr Macaulay said.
“And, we have done exactly that here at Muswellbrook.
“The safety and welfare of our animal is paramount.”
There will be lots of free activities for all the family this weekend, including a jumping castle, face painting, sausage sizzle, fairy floss, kids’ zone and local band Hurricane Fall will perform.
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