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Minister for Racing Paul Toole joined with the Parliamentary Secretary for the South Coast Gareth Ward and executive representatives from Shoalhaven City Turf Club on Sunday to officially launch a major upgrade of the turf club, which the NSW Government has supported with a $520,000 grant on Nowra Cup day.

Mr Toole and Mr Ward joined with the SCTC's CEO Lynn Locke to unveil the upgrade which includes a modernised and extended dining room and new viewing area for Archer Racecourse.

“I’m delighted the NSW Government has been able to support this exciting new project that has helped modernise the turf club,” Minister Toole said. “The improvements are sure to make events such as the Nowra Cup a more enjoyable experience for locals and visitors alike. Our Government is committed to supporting regional racing which is a key part of the social fabric in communities across NSW,” Mr Toole said.

Pictured are: Patricia White, Deputy Mayor Shoalhaven City Council; Gareth Ward MP Member for Kiama, Hon. Paul Toole, Minister for Lands, Foresty and Racing; Paul Green MLC; Ann Sudmalis - Federal Member for Gilmore

Parliamentary Secretary for the South Coast, Gareth Ward, said: “This project has been funded through Liquor & Gaming NSW’s ClubGRANTS Infrastructure Grants for new and upgraded sport and recreation facilities in local communities across NSW,” he said.

“The project has also included installation of a lift and disability accessible car spaces. It has expanded the club’s capacity for an extra 100 people on racedays at the new dining room and integrated balcony and viewing deck.

“The new deck has enabled outdoor viewing of races for the first time, while the lift and improved disability parking will make it easier for people with disabilities to access the club’s facilities. As well as being the base for the local horse racing industry, Shoalhaven City Turf Club hosts a diverse range of community activities and events such as the Mud Muster and Nowra Chilli and Chocolate Festival,” Mr Ward said.

Shoalhaven City Turf Club's Lynn Locke, also welcomed yesterday's official launch of the major upgrade with $520,000 funding courtesy of the NSW Government: “The extension to our dining room is such a fantastic addition to our facilities and is something we would not have been able to achieve had we not received the ClubGrants Infrastructure Grant,” she said.

“The accessible lift along with the extended seating and viewing area has increased the capacity by an extra 100 people and will not only be utilised on racedays but will enable us to offer a modern function area to the local community and visitors to the area. It will also allow us to offer many employment opportunities to our locals.

“The fact that the ClubGrants are available to local sporting bodies to upgrade their sport and recreation facilities is such a bonus for groups such as ours. We must thank the Minister and local members Gareth Ward, Shelley Hancock and Paul Green for supporting our application and our Club in general,” Lynn concluded.

The project is one of 11 across NSW funded from the ClubGRANTS category 3 sport and recreation fund in 2016-17. Over $50m in ClubGRANTS funding is being provided in the current term of government for projects across sport and recreation, emergency preparedness and arts and culture.