Magazine: Toowoomba Turf Club Big Debate
By Editor in Racing on 3rd May 2008 6:00
A Clifford Park development plan will be the next cannon rolled out by Toowoomba Turf Club (TTC) and Queensland Racing Limited (QRL) as debate surrounding the installation of a synthetic racetrack at the course reaches a climax.
The club and QRL are presently canvassing the opinion of Clifford Park trainers on their preference for either a Cushion Track training track or a rebuilding of the course proper which will see the grass track replaced by the revolutionary sand, rubber and fibre compound. The overhaul is part of a plan by QRL to "drought proof" several tracks in southern Queensland to maintain a continuity of racing while eliminating the need for excessive water use and maintenance.
QRL is lobbying for the course proper to be replaced and has mooted an increase in Clifford Park race meeting numbers if the club elects to go with that option. TTC chairman Neville Stewart said the synthetic track debate remains open for Toowoomba racing stakeholders and he is adamant the final decision will be influenced by them. But following a further meeting yesterday between the club and an invited group of trainers Stewart is confident the proposed course-proper replacement is growing in acceptance.
"We had a good meeting today and after our discussions the trainers were supportive of the course-proper replacement and they seemed to go away happy enough to at least follow the x proposal through to the next stage," Stewart said. "Everyone had an equal opportunity to voice their opinions and I was very pleased with the open, curious nature of the questions and debate. "They could have all voiced their disapproval today which would have left me having to go to QRL chairman Bob Bentley and saying our trainers have rejected your option and that's the end of the story. "But they didn't."
Stewart said the next meeting with trainers will be held in mid-to-late May following further discussions between his club and QRL. At that meeting a "master plan" for the future of Clifford Park beyond a synthetic racetrack installation will be unveiled. The plan was initiated jointly by TTC and QRL.
"It has been commissioned to a group of architects who are working towards giving us an overall view of what could be achieved following the installation of a Cushion Track racing surface," Steward said. "It will outline a major facelift of Clifford Park using the bones of what we have to work with. "It will help us look 20 years ahead."
Stewart said if the course-proper replacement is approved ideally he would like to see work start immediately with the aim of it being completed before the end of this year.
He said the fate of Clifford Park's twilight meetings, while work was in progress, would be decided by QRL.
Stewart said the installation of lights at Corbould Park on the Sunshine Coast is an option QRL might consider to preserve the lucrative Saturday twilight racing timeslot until racing resumes in Toowoomba.
Rex Lipp was yesterday elected spokesperson for the trainer's representative group negotiating with the club on track proposals.Lipp backed Stewart's appraisal of yesterday's meeting. "Ultimately it will probably come down to the dollar," Lipp said. "But we have to think to the future not just the present or the past. "We have no water and that is our major, major problem. "A Cushion Track can be raced on as often as you like with a minimum need for water. "It's the way forward and although there might be disruptions while it is being installed, the light at the end of the tunnel is bright.
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http://www.thechronicle.com.au
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