Wangaratta Greyhound track to close

April 2, 2009 (read original here at Millers Guide)

PROHIBITIVE re-building costs have been cited as the main reason behind the intended permanent closure of the Wangaratta greyhound track in less than two months time.

A Greyhound Racing Victoria board meeting on Monday was shown a report that detailed upgrades needed to the infrastructure at Avian Park would cost in the vicinity of a staggering $6,300,000.
The GRV also took into account statistical information on participant and patron figures at Wangaratta meetings.

After studying the information and the costs involved the GRV elected to cease racing operations at Wangaratta as from June 26, 2009.

The track will be maintained as a trial track only until at least December 29, 2009.
After June 26, the meetings that had been scheduled for Wangaratta will now be transferred to the Shepparton track.

GRV chairman Jan Wilson said: “The GRV Board fully understands the disappointment that such decisions may bring. However, it is our sincere hope that the WGRC and its local participants can take a whole of industry perspective when considering the Board’s overall need to provide for industry sustainability and participant returns.”
Comment:

See "Wangaratta Greyhounds Finished" for a critique of Greyhound Racing Victoria (GRV) Chairman Jan Wilson and some pointed questions such as:

Why did the GRV commit to a large spend at Avian Park as recently as 2002, with out tying the development partner Harness Racing Victoria to a binding agreement? Harness Racing Victoria walked away from Wangaratta as a harness racing venue in 2005. Just 3 years later.

I suspect we well hear more about this one in The Chronicle