Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke MP has welcomed $300,000 funding for Cootamundra Turf Club which will see an upgrade of the grandstand at Cootamundra Racecourse, providing better facilities for racegoers and racing industry participants.
“Cootamundra is home to some of the best country racing in the region, but the racecourse grandstand is nearly a century old and current flooring is not withstanding the elements,” Ms Cooke said.
“I met with Cootamundra Turf Club members earlier this year to hear more about the impact water leakage through the old flooring is having on the function room underneath the grandstand.”
Ms Cooke said this investment by the NSW Government, as part of the 2021/22 NSW Budget, will enable the full removal of the grandstand flooring and replacement with an all-weather flooring option, as well as the installation of new seating.
“This is fantastic news for the Cootamundra Turf Club and the broader community as the benefits of an upgrade such as this will reach well beyond the immediate facility.
“Ensuring the facilities at local race meetings are more user-friendly will support greater visitation at major events, meaning more people are staying in local hotels, eating at local cafes, and shopping in local stores.
“This project is part of the single largest investment by the NSW Government in racing infrastructure and I am very pleased to have secured such a significant investment for the Cootamundra community.”
Minister for Better Regulation and Innovation and Minister responsible for racing Kevin Anderson said through this record funding for the racing industry, $67 million will be split across Racing NSW venues across regional NSW.
“Thoroughbred racing was the shining light of sport and recreation during COVID and Australia was the only jurisdiction which did not suffer widespread racing closures. In fact, under the Liberals and Nationals Government the industry charged ahead with its racing calendar, keeping thousands of people in work,” Mr Anderson said.
“Thoroughbred racing is the lifeblood of many country towns, accounting for around 14,000 jobs in the regions and contributes $1.9 billion to the state’s economy. This investment by the NSW Government will ensure those numbers keep growing with more money coming into our country towns.
“Under the NSW Government, NSW has cemented our position as the leading jurisdiction for racing in the Southern Hemisphere.”
