CONSTRUCTION on the new Ipswich Greyhound Centre at Yamanto is expected to start in the next few weeks following the appointment of BMD Group to complete the civil earthworks.
The precinct will feature three tracks – a straight track, a much-needed oneturn track and a two-turn track – with racing to be beamed to more than 60 nations across the world via Sky Racing.
Racing Minister Grace Grace said she was pleased to see construction commencing imminently on the new home of Queensland greyhound racing.
“This is an incredibly exciting milestone for the Greater Brisbane Greyhound Centre, as we take another step towards delivering Queensland’s newest state-of-the-art racing centre,” Minister Grace said.
“Importantly, this facility will create 477 good, secure jobs for Queenslanders during the construction period, for a sport that contributes more than $170 million to the combined economies of Brisbane and Ipswich each year.
“More broadly, the greyhound code continues to go from strength-tostrength in the Sunshine State, with enhanced animal care, along with record-breaking prize money and returns to participants headlining its continued growth and interest.”
With animal welfare at the core of its design and construction, the worldclass venue will include:
- Track safety benefits including radius and surface banking to be designed in a way to reduce excessive limb forces acting on greyhounds while racing;
- Starting box design incorporating optimum spacing between contestants and grille heights;
- Grandstand and customer facilities ensuring gold standard customer experience and viewing of all three tracks; and
- Air-conditioned, sound-attenuated kennels with best practice pre and post-racing support services.
RQ Chairman Steve Wilson said the project would be a game-changer for the greyhound code in the Sunshine State.
“The commencement of civil earthworks onsite is the first of many significant milestones for this once-in-a-generation project,” Mr Wilson said.
“The Greater Brisbane Greyhound Centre will not only deliver one of the nation’s premier racing facilities, but it will also be an invaluable multi-use asset that the whole community can enjoy.”
