Sale Turf Club has completed significant structural changes to its Victorian race venue including a new media studio, new paddock bar in the betting ring, function room, members’ grandstand facelift as well as renovations to the jockey rooms.
The renovations were financed by contributions from the Sale Turf Club, Racing Victoria, Country Racing Victoria and the Victorian State Government.
Sale Turf Club CEO Brad Evans said they were among many improvements made at the club, particularly over the past 18 months, which included improved facilities for trainers, jockeys and patrons.
“From a patron and club perspective, we have had a $350,000 upgrade to the jockey rooms adding extras like a spa and shared kitchenette. We needed to increase the footprint for our female jockeys, which was the whole purpose of the project,” Evans told CountryRacing.com.
Track lighting has also been upgraded to ensure it was compliant and a full drainage upgrade of the course proper had also been undertaken.
New on-track training facilities have also been installed, including a new treadmill. That followed an investment in a sand and dirt track, an inside grass track and practice barriers.
An improved Laurels function room and deck area have also been constructed for race day and non-race day events. The public bar has been extended, the betting ring and paddock bar upgraded and the grandstand has also been given a facelift.
The club is still finalising works within the administration/Industry building upgrade which includes the Administration Office, the male and female jockey rooms, the stewards room, CEO office and scales area.
As for the track, an automated sprinkler system has also been installed and a travelling irrigator employed to get water onto the track, and a generator installed in the event of power outages.
