The forty-year-old electrical system at the Inverell Racecourse is to undergo a major upgrade, improving lighting, broadcasting and the safety and comfort of crowds.
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Inverell Racecourse will receive $45,807 from this year's State Government Crown Reserve Improvements Fund, with Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall announcing the grant would be spent upgrading electricity infrastructure at the venue.
Mr Marshall said the funding would give the course the spark it needed to pursue and secure additional race meets.
"Inverell Racecourse is renowned as one of the premier racing venues in northern NSW," Mr Marshall said.
"The current power supply, which is 40 years old, has started to fail during peak times causing interruptions to broadcasting and losses of electrical equipment.
"To limit these disruptions throughout future race events the land managers will install a new a meter box, main power switchboard and updated cabling.
"Modernising the electrical service will provide the added benefit of allowing the club to install the advanced racing technologies expected of a premier race course," Mr Marshall said.
Inverell Jockey Club President Peter Tanner said the power upgrade would 'kick' the race course into a new era.
"With the club's purchase of new kitchen appliances and installation of air conditioning in the new swab box there is now a lot of pressure on our ageing power supply," Mr Tanner said.
"These improvements will give our committee, visiting trainers, punters and betting organisations the confidence race meets at Inverell will go ahead free of power outages and disruptions.
"We are also excited because this upgrade will allow us to have lighting installed around the track, so trainers can start track work earlier with safer conditions for riders and horses.
"Due to the ongoing quality of our track trainer numbers have increased, significantly bolstering the viability of the Inverell Racecourse and justifying the hard work being put into facility upgrades.
"As a club, we also want to make the race course more appealing as a venue people want to hire for seminars and parties.
"The events we can host each year means the more income available to reinvest into the grounds.
"With a very successful Cup Carnival over Christmas, Inverell saw lots of visitors arriving in town, injecting considerable money into retail, restaurants, motels, hotels and clubs.
"Overall, this grant is going to enable us to continue improving our facilities, making it more comfortable for racegoers."
