Visitors to Stony Creek Racecourse will benefit from new facilities, with Minister for Racing Anthony Carbines visiting the track on Tuesday to announce funding for a major upgrade of customer facilities and the outdoor dining area.
The refurbishment will include upgrades to the public bar, the TAB area that will feature a new customer service hub, and the race day office.
There will also be a new alfresco deck and shade sail.
Construction has begun on the customer service hub and race day office and is expected to be completed in October, while other works are expected to start later this year.
The State Government has contributed $100,000 towards the project through a Regional Customer Facilities Program grant, with the Stony Creek Racing Club providing over $128,000.
Minister Carbines said the program helps give clubs a bit of a lift and the opportunity to generate greater income, noting racecourses host a variety of community activities throughout the year.
Stony Creek Racing Club CEO Jason Benbow expressed his appreciation for the assistance through the current grant and previous ones.
“We would like to thank the Victorian Government for awarding our club with significant grants to help improve our racecourse and customer facilities,” he said.
Benbow praised the foresight of the club's recent CEO Adam Olszanski in applying for grants.
Minister Carbines told those in charge of the Stony Creek Racing Club why the government is happy to help make improvements there possible.
"I have a lot of respect for the work that you do and the least we can do is reward that with the resourcing that's been provided here," Carbines said.
“These upgrades to Stony Creek Racecourse reflect our commitment to ensuring regional racing clubs get the support they deserve,”
Carbines looks forward to seeing how the improvements benefit the club.
Tuesday's funding announcement follows the club’s recent unveiling of a new automated irrigation system at the racecourse, to which the Victorian Government contributed $319,000, with that the biggest project at the racecourse in over two decades.
Completed in April this year, the new system enables consistent watering across the track while reducing the risk of leaks, overwatering and pooling.
The watering system will improve the track condition for the club’s five annual race meetings and up to four official trials and jump out meetings.
As a club that predominantly races in the summer months, it is vitally important for these. works to have taken place to ensure a fair and consistent racing surface.
Stony Creek Racing Club committee member and Life Member Rob Meyer is delighted with the fact the new irrigation system will provide a more consistent surface and that customer facilities will be upgraded.
"It's a great thing; we can provide a better and safer experience for the whole racing community," he said.
Since 2014, the State Labor Government has provided more than $840,000 to support six racing events and 12 infrastructure projects at the Stony Creek Racecourse.
Racing at the track gets underway on Monday December 30.