Racing Queensland has announced works to remediate the Bundamba Racecourse will commence on November 4.
As part of the $24.8 million re-development at the Ipswich Turf Club, replacement of the decades-old irrigation infrastructure and drainage will soon commence, with racing to resume at Bundamba in April 2020.
During this time, the remaining components of the re-development are also expected to be completed including delivery of the club’s new tie-up stalls.
“The planned start date for the project has been designed to take advantage of the optimum growing conditions at this time of the year,” RQ CEO Brendan Parnell said.
“Currently there is minimal subsurface drainage installed at Bundamba, with the track remediation including the installation of uniform subsoil drainage which is designed to take excess water away from the racing surface.
“It will also include installation of a new state-of-the-art irrigation system to assist with an even application of irrigation water onto the racing surface, where treatment of the water quality issues can also be improved at this time.”
Earlier this month, Racing Minister Stirling Hinchliffe announced the re-development of the Ipswich Turf Club would be delivered in full including the new tie-up stalls, track remediation and widening works to T.L. Cooney Avenue.
Mr Hinchliffe confirmed stewards and jockeys had already commenced accessing the club’s new purpose-built function centre on race days.
“The new racing amenities include an expanded female jockeys’ room that replaces the cramped and outdated quarters at Bundamba,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
“To help with race day operations, stewards will have high-tech equipment and there’s also a dedicated media centre.
“The Ipswich Turf Club is a critical component of the state’s racing infrastructure – hosting almost 50 race meetings last year and serving as a training facility.
“With more than 20,000 people attending the recent Ipswich Cup, it is one of Queensland’s most popular race days and a vibrant hub for the community.”
A cross-section of replacement clubs will be used during the outage at Bundamba including Doomben, Beaudesert, Toowoomba and Lockyer.
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