All four Sydney racecourses are slated for major renovations as part of a 10-year strategic infrastructure plan by the Australian Turf Club.
The ATC says it has developed a scheduled program of renovation or rebuilding of all course proper and training tracks, ensuring only one main racing surface is affected at any one time.
Work on the rebuild of the Kensington track at Randwick will begin next month and is expected to be ready for racing in the summer of 2017/18 giving Sydney a fifth racing surface.
The ATC also plans to install lights at both Randwick and Rosehill.
“Installation of lights at Royal Randwick will be subject to development consent and consultation with local the local community, before further investigation of lights at Rosehill Gardens, taking advantage of NSW government light rail links at both venues,” an ATC statement said.
Among the other initiatives is an upgrade of the Rosehill training tracks with the larger sand track to be converted to a synthetic surface, and the existing smaller synthetic track to become sand.
A complete renovation of the course proper at Warwick Farm is also in the pipeline.
The ATC recently announced an operating surplus of $13.4 million and chief executive Darren Pearce said the club was now able to develop and deliver long-term plans after several years of financial consolidation and reduction of debt.
“Everything that we have built this strategy on recognises the need to get the stage right for our main attraction, the thoroughbred,” ATC chief executive Darren Pearce said.
“This means building and maintaining the very best in training tracks and course proper surfaces at all of racecourses, to world-class standards.
“We remain fully focused on continuing to make Sydney racing not only the strongest in Australia, but the benchmark for anywhere in the world.”
Pearce said further development of members and spectator facilities would be shaped by consultation with all stakeholders, along with the progress of NSW government transport and urban planning projects.
