A significant amount of funding was handed over to the Ipswich Turf Club as it seeks redevelopment of its overall infrastructure, amenities and equipment.
In early September 2019, Racing Minister Stirling Hinchliffe announced that the scheduled upgrade of the historic Ipswich Turf Club is on track. The Ipswich Turf Club will receive $24.8 million of state government funds for its redevelopment project.
According to Mr Hinchliffe, included amongst the list of upgrades needed by the club are the following:
- A function centre
- New tie-up stalls
- Carpark
- Widening works to T.L. Cooney Avenue
- Replacement of the decades-old irrigation infrastructure and drainage
Given the anticipated refurbishment of the Bundamba club, a cross-section of replacement clubs will be utilised. These clubs include Doomben, Beaudesert, Toowoomba, and Lockyer.
Mr Hinchliffe confirmed that the stewards and jockeys had already commenced in 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“The new racing amenities include an expanded female jockeys’ room that replaces the cramped and outdated quarters at Bundamba,” he said.
“To help with race day operations, stewards will have high-tech equipment and there’s also a dedicated media centre.”
Vibrant Hub for the Community
The Ipswich Turf Club is considered to be a critical component of the state’s racing infrastructure. Since its establishment in 1848, the club has been hosting almost 50 race meetings a year, and it also serves as a training facility for thousands of Queenslanders to enjoy.
Member for Ipswich Jennifer Howard and Member for Bundamba Jo-Anne Miller express their support for the redevelopment of the Ipswich Turf Club by sharing how the club’s upgrade would serve as a great asset for the region.
“It’s incredibly encouraging to see the progress that’s being made on this much-anticipated upgrade to our turf club. The Ipswich Turf Club is a rich part of our history and now, with the upgrade, an exciting and important part of our future,” Jennifer Howard said.
“This project will help future-proof the Ipswich Turf Club and will continue to be a facility enjoyed by thousands of Queenslanders each year,” Jo-Anne Miller said.