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BRISBANE TURF CLUB
MEDIA RELEASE
8th August 2008
A new future for racing
It has been a momentous day for Queensland racing with members of the Brisbane Turf Club voting overwhelmingly for a merger with the Queensland Turf Club.
BTC Chairman, Wayne Milner, said today marked the first step in creating the Brisbane Racing Club.
“Today the members of our proud racing club have stood up to secure the future of City Pacific Doomben,” Mr Milner said.
“The amalgamation of these two great clubs will provide opportunity, capital and infrastructure to move racing forward in the 21st century.”
Mr Milner said work will almost immediately start in forming the new Brisbane Racing Club (BRC) with a number of steps to be taken including obtaining the relevant approvals through the State Government and regulatory bodies.
“Subject to approval, it is proposed the new BRC will begin operations from July 1, 2009 but there is still much to do,” Mr Milner said.
“There is now a clear mandate to consider the development of unused land and a major upgrade of facilities transforming the area into a racing precinct Queensland will be proud of.”
“This extra money will put City Pacific Doomben in a position to develop state-of-the-art spectator facilities and give hospitality areas a much-needed major facelift.”
Mr Milner once again reassured doubters that racing would remain City Pacific Doomben’s core business and primary focus but maintained new business interests are needed for the sport to flourish.
“Cost efficiencies of sharing expenses between the two race tracks provide significant savings,” he said.
Mr Milner said the merger will have positive synergies for both racing and for members.
“This is about making our club better. Members will now have access to both racecourses and be entitled to all privileges and as we transform the precinct they will have access to first class facilities as well,” he said.
“The BTC and QTC have already instigated developers Watpac to design a master plan for a metropolitan racing precinct incorporating both City Pacific Doomben and Eagle Farm.
“Situated only minutes from the Brisbane CBD and airport, the unused land at both City Pacific Doomben and Eagle Farm has enormous potential.”
Mr Milner also announced today members will now have an opportunity to present their own ideas for the master plan during a special workshop on 18 September, 2008.
“The final vision for City Pacific Doomben is certainly not completed and that is why we want the input of members.”
Mr Milner said the merger would also create more employment opportunities.
“By being in a position to host events and additional functions on non-racing days, we will not only generate revenue but it will mean more jobs and more opportunities for current employees,” he said.
Mr Milner said the merged Brisbane Racing Club will see a new eight person board elected with four members taken from both racing clubs.
“This will be an equal partnership in every sense of the word,” Mr Milner said.
“The BTC members will elect its four members for the new BRC Board by the end of the year.”
The total number of votes received was 826. The votes included 672 for the merger and 154 against the merger. This equated to 81.36% of votes in favour of the merger.
ENDS
Media Contact: Shaun Rigby, Sequel Communications on (07) 3251 8140 or 0438 021 936
QUEENSLAND Racing web news: August 8
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