Goondiwindi Race Club will celebrate 10 years of turf track racing on Saturday, February 23 when it hosts the first Goondiwindi Young Guns Raceday.
Turf was laid under challenging conditions at the club in October 2008 ahead of the first grass meeting in March 2009.
Club president Geoff Makim said the turf track had made a major difference to field sizes and animal welfare outcomes.
"Not to mention the number of meetings that would have been washed out on the old dirt track surface," he said.
"The amenities are also a lot more user friendly and no longer will you be covered in dust as the horses pass the finishing post."
Makim said he could recall the day the club planted the turf, on a 40-degree day with strong westerly winds.
"It could not have been worse," he said.
"We had limited effluent water to apply to the new turf and the season was not unlike the current season. There was no rain for the first six weeks after planting but unlike this year, luckily, that changed in early January and the track came away to be ready for the first March meeting in 2009.
"Since then, the club has attracted a few TAB (meetings) and ... has enable the Goondiwindi Picnic Races to expand with new marquees now double banked the majority of the straight."
To celebrate the occasion the club has again planned a fun day of family activities for the whole community, including a jumping castle for children.
The presence of the Goondiwindi Young Guns, a newly formed group that aims to provide young locals to meet new people in the town, is expected to generate additional atmosphere.
"Saturday will be another great family day at Gunsynd Park and we look forward to welcoming the Young Guns to Gunsynd Park," Makim said.
"There will be live entertainment after the last race between 5pm and 7pm for patrons to stay-on and discuss the day's activities."
Visit http://goondiwindiraces.com/ for more information.