KBRC strikes gold with new jockey and stewards’ rooms

The new, state-of-the-art jockey and stewards’ rooms at Kalgoorlie-Boulder Racing Club (KBRC) were officially opened at Tuesday’s ANZAC Day meeting.

Backed by an almost $1.2 million Racing and Wagering WA (RWWA) grant, the newly constructed facility has male and female jockey changerooms and a common use jockey lounge area.

It also includes a jockey spa room (spa provided by the WA Jockeys’ Association), stewards room and associated amenities, weighing area and first aid room.

RWWA CEO Ian Edwards welcomed the facility’s unveiling and said its upgraded female rooms accommodated the State’s increased number of female riders.

“There is terrific female representation in our riding ranks, so it is great to have a purpose-built facility which caters to that,” he said.

“The new building incorporates all jockey and stewards’ rooms in one facility to create race day efficiencies and ensure comfortability for riders and officials alike.”

Mr Edwards added investing in regional racing facilities was vital, given the industry’s significant economic contribution.

“In the Goldfields-Esperance region, racing sustains 347 full-time jobs and injects $40 million into the WA economy annually,” he said.

“Ensuring there are facilities which enable jockeys and racing officials to work in a safe and comfortable environment is critical.”

KBRC CEO Robert Murison echoed Mr Edwards, noting the rooms benefit to race day participants.

“Kalgoorlie-Boulder is home to rich racing history and one of WA’s most iconic racecourses,” he said.

“An investment like this reiterates the importance of regional tracks and why they must be maintained to support the industry and regional racing spectacles, such as Race Round.”