Super race track mooted for Waikato
Thoroughbred racing in the Waikato is being asked to put the future of the industry first and make a bold move to amalgamate facilities.
First mooted 25 years ago, the concept of a regional super race track has been raised again by horse owner John Bishop.
Bishop, a former Waipa district councillor, believes three clubs Waikato (Te Rapa), Cam- bridge and Waipa will soon face pressure brought by residential and commercial demand for land.
Bishop points to examples where urban sprawl is causing problems for venues like Eden Park in Auckland where residential neighbours have insisted on limitations to events.
In Waipa, Cambridge Motocross Club has gained conditional resource consent to operate but may be forced to seek an alternative venue within the next decade because of urbanisation. Bishop wants to see racing clubs be realistic about the future of the sport, with all three having separate assets and struggling to maintain them.
‘‘Now is the time to look at how racing could look like as both a sport and entertainment and at least talk about collectively working together,’’ said Bishop.
All clubs have aging infrastructure and suggests the capital realised from sales would go a long way to ensuring a facility racing could be proud of. Bishop is quick to suggest he is not advocating the amalgamation of any clubs because there are merits in retaining independence running their own meetings on the new track but with the advantage of a bigger catchment.
He is encouraging Te Aroha and Matamata to consider the idea as well.
As to its location, Bishop’s bias shows suggesting the Waipa dis- trict but is realistic whoever is the first club to drive a proposal is likely to have a claim.
‘‘A lot has changed since the idea was first looked at but I would encourage a feasibility study,’’ Bishop said. The three clubs run 28 racing fixtures each year.
A model could be the redevelopment at Australia’s Packenham Club, a joint venture with the Victoria State Government.
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