Famous tracks face closure
They’ve been part of the Kiwi way of life but famous holiday racecourses have been earmarked for closure in a radical report on the racing industry.
Thousands of holidaymakers flock to race meetings at venues such as Thames, Stratford, Greymouth, Hokitika, and Omakau in Central Otago during the summer break but they are among the 20 that will close if the Messara Report is adopted by the racing industry and Government.
Auckland’s second racecourse, Avondale, would also close.
Racing Minister Winston Peters released the report in Hamilton on Thursday night, telling people in the racing business that the industry would die if change did not occur.
‘‘It’s reform or die, there’s no offcourse substitute,’’ he warned.
Peters commissioned Australian racing administrator John Messara to review the industry. One of the central planks of his report deals with consolidating racecourse assets.
Of the 48 thoroughbred tracks that currently hold race meetings, he recommends the closure of 20, with their land being sold and the proceeds going towards bringing the remaining 28 courses to an acceptable standard.
The 20 recommended for closure are Dargaville, Avondale, Thames, Rotorua, Wairoa, Stratford, Hawera, Waipukurau, Woodville, Reefton, Greymouth, Hokitika, Motukarara, Timaru, Kurow, Oamaru, Waimate, Omakau, Winton, and Gore.
Messara, who described the industry as in a ‘‘deeply distressed state’’ recommended that the closures begin from the 2019-2020 season, which starts next August, and take place over five years. He also suggested a six year programme of improving the remaining 28 tracks to bring them up to an acceptable standard.
Those courses are: Ellerslie, Matamata, Te Aroha, Pukekohe, Te Rapa, Te Awamutu, Tauranga, Ruakaka, Taupo, Te Teko, Awapuni, Trentham, Hastings, Otaki, Wanganui, New Plymouth, Waverley, Tauherenikau, Gisborne, Blenheim, Riccarton Park, Ashburton, Wingatui, Ascot Park Invercargill, Kumara, Cromwell, Waikouaiti, and Riverton.
‘‘It is expected that property sold as a result of track closures will generate sufficient capital to satisfy the required programme of renovation at the remaining tracks throughout New Zealand. The cost of this programme is calculated at about $190 million and I believe this would be broadly consistent with estimates made by NZTR (New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing) if only 28 tracks were to be retained,’’ Messara said.
His report recommended legislating for the transfer to NZTR of title to all thoroughbred racecourses and training facilities currently owned freehold by racing clubs and also ownership of all net assets.
Messara endorsed the Government and racing industry’s plan to build three synthetic tracks – at Cambridge in Waikato, Awapuni in Manawatu and Riccarton in Christchurch.