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Tamworth Jockey Club’s major upgrade of its thoroughbred training facilities will commence later this month after Racing NSW confirmed its funding for the $1.56 million project.

Experienced local contractors Keller Civil Engineers (KCE) have been engaged to undertake the work, which will commence on May 25 and is expected to take 16 weeks to complete. Tamworth is one of the busiest NSW Country racing and training centres, with around 140 horses in work each day and hosting more than 20 racedays.

Tamworth Jockey Club’s new General Manager, Michael Buckley, who only started work with the Club this week, has welcomed the news that this project is now going ahead.

“The reconstruction of the sand track is something that the Tamworth trainers have been after for a few years, given the ongoing problems the Club has experienced maintaining the track due to the issues with its base.”

Mr Buckley said that the extensive $1.56m reconstruction project, which is being funded jointly by Racing NSW, Country Racing NSW’s Development Fund, and the Club, includes the removal of all the existing materials, construction of a new stabilised pavement base, new stormwater and drainage, installation of more than 3000m of wooden plinths, a new irrigation system and safety rails, as well as the supply and spreading of over 3400 cubic metres of the new base and sand materials.

Member for Tamworth and Minister Responsible for Racing, Kevin Anderson said he was very pleased to learn this week that the track reconstruction project was about to start and that a local civil contractor had been successful in securing the tender for the works.

“Racing is a significant employer in the region providing a number of locals with good, stable careers.

“Racing NSW is to be congratulated on the significant investment they are making to upgrade infrastructure at a number of provincial and country racetracks including Tamworth.

“In February, we also saw significant increases in total annual prizemoney to be paid for Country racing in NSW with the total now over $91 million. It’s great to see the Tamworth Jockey Club receive this significant investment and I’m looking forward to seeing the reconstructed sand track completed.”