Construction of The Q is poised to begin in earnest this month with the appointment of FKG to complete the main body of works at Purga.
In a major milestone for the project, the next phase of works is poised to commence, setting new standards in modern track design once completed next year.
The Darling Downs company were awarded the major contract, following BMD Group’s completion of the bulk earthworks earlier this year.
Situated just south of Ipswich, the precinct will feature three tracks - a straight track, a much-needed one-turn track and a two-turn track – with racing to be beamed to more than 60 nations across the world via Sky Racing.
The Racing Infrastructure Fund will contribute $39.15 million to help fund the project.
“This is another major milestone for The Q and another step towards delivering Queensland’s newest state-of-the-art racing precinct,” Racing Queensland CEO Jason Scott said.
“With BMD Group completing the civil earthworks in recent weeks, this once-in-a-generation project will soon come to life with major works now set to commence.
“The Q will not only deliver one of the nation’s premier racing facilities, but it will also be an invaluable multi-use asset that the whole community can enjoy.
“The Q will soon become one of the nation’s premier greyhound facilities, hosting internationally renowned events like the Group 1 Brisbane Cup which earlier this year was staged for a record $1 million – solidifying its position among the world’s most lucrative greyhound races.”
With animal welfare at the core of its design and construction, the world-class venue will include:
- A large one-turn track, two-turn track and straight track;
- Track safety benefits including radius and surface banking designed to reduce excessive limb forces impacting on greyhounds while racing;
- World-class racing surfaces;
- Starting box positioning – reducing racing interference and supporting racing safety;
- Grandstand and customer facilities ensuring gold standard customer experience and viewing of all three tracks; and
- Air-conditioned, sound-attenuated kennels with best practice pre and post-racing support services.
“More broadly, we continue to see the greyhound industry’s growth come along in leaps and bounds,” Mr Scott said.
“With enhanced animal care, alongside record-breaking prize money and returns to participants headlining the sport’s continued growth and interest, there truly is no better time to be a part of greyhound racing in Queensland.”
Click here for further information on The Q.