Gold Coast greyhound racing at Pimpama

GREYHOUND officials are considering a push into Pimpama, which would see the dogs return to the Gold Coast after a five-year hiatus.

Queensland Greyhound Breeders, Owners and Trainers Association have met with the State Government in relation to two potential sites at Pimpama.

The Gold Coast Greyhound Racing Club’s Parklands facility was closed by the Bligh government in 2008 to make way for the Gold Coast University Hospital.

Since then club officials have been considering relocating to Logan, but it is understood the cost of doing so, about $24 million, has been a stumbling block.

The club had been promised $10 million in compensation from the State Government to help set up a new track.

Queensland Greyhound Breeders, Owners and Trainers Association vice-president Tony Zammit said the Greyhound Club was now eyeing off two sites owned by the State Government at Pimpama.

One was adjacent to the Gainsborough Greens golf course and the other at the old Pacific Springs golf course near exit 49 on the M1.

Mr Zammit said the Gold Coast Harness Racing Club was also looking for a new home as they were also being forced out of Parklands as of July to make way for the Commonwealth Games athletes’ village.

He said a dual-racing complex could be the solution.

“We’re hoping now the Government might look at utilising one of the sites to build another Parklands-style complex for two,” he said.

“They really owe the two codes some kind of compensation to keep them in the Gold Coast region.

“We’ve put forward the idea, it’s up to them now to make the decision.”

Gold Coast Harness Racing Club president Barry Grimsey said a site at Pimpama for both codes seemed logical.

He said he was meeting with Commonwealth Games Minister Jann Stuckey early next month about the clubs’ future at Parklands.

A spokesman for Racing Minister Steve Dickson said the department was investigating a new site for greyhound racing, but could not confirm if it would be on the Coast.

“Racing Queensland Limited is investigating the viability of the Logan site together with other alternatives,” he said.

“Given the urgent need to progress planning for future greyhound racing facilities in southeast Queensland, an interim committee made up of representatives of the greyhound industry, as well as state and local government, will be established to start planning appropriate solutions.

“As far back as 2008 the previous Labor governments made a commitment to develop a greyhound facility at Logan, but never properly costed, budgeted or planned for it.”

Northern Gold Coast councillor Donna Gates, who assisted the greyhound racing groups to find the parcels of land at Pimpama, said the council was keen to keep racing on the Coast.

“We would love to encourage them to find a place within our city,” she said.

“I hope the council and State Government can work together to assist them.”

 

Written By Matthew Killoran & originally posted on Goldcoast.com.au