curious Posted November 3, 2021 Share Posted November 3, 2021 Anyone know where this is at? Last I heard the contracting was supposed to be completed in September. Haven't seen or heard a thing since. Did they find the missing money? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freda Posted November 3, 2021 Share Posted November 3, 2021 13 minutes ago, curious said: Anyone know where this is at? Last I heard the contracting was supposed to be completed in September. Haven't seen or heard a thing since. Did they find the missing money? Haven't heard anything either. I'll ask Chappie, he might know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted November 4, 2021 Share Posted November 4, 2021 7 hours ago, curious said: Anyone know where this is at? Last I heard the contracting was supposed to be completed in September. Haven't seen or heard a thing since. Did they find the missing money? I thought it had to be used by a certain time and only on the AWT. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curious Posted November 4, 2021 Author Share Posted November 4, 2021 https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/300389518/synthetic-track-at-awapuni-racecourse-on-track-for-summer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted November 4, 2021 Share Posted November 4, 2021 Synthetic track at Awapuni racecourse on track for summer NZ Racing Desk17:31, Aug 23 2021 WARWICK SMITH/STUFF Work on the new artificial track at Awapuni Racecourse is expected to start later this year. RACING: With the deluge of positive feedback for the synthetic tracks at both Cambridge and Riccarton, Central Districts trainers are looking forward to racing on a similar surface in their own backyard in 2022. As part of a $72.5 million emergency support package from the Government last year, the racing industry received up to $20 million in funding from the Provincial Growth Fund to go towards the construction of three synthetic tracks at Cambridge, Riccarton, and Awapuni in Palmerston North. The Cambridge track was completed in 2020 and hosted its first race meeting in May, while the Riccarton track was unveiled earlier in August and received a welcome response from southern trainers. Awapuni is the next and final cab off the rank, with construction set to start later this year. Awapuni Racing Centre general manager Kim Treweek said the tendering process would close by mid September, and they would look to start construction in early November. While funding from the Provincial Growth Fund has partially paid for the construction of the synthetic track, Treweek said the club had to fund the remainder. “Being able to offset that [cost of track] against some of the development [of land] we have has been helpful. We have almost got that box ticked now.” While Awapuni will be the last of the three tracks built, Treweek said this had its advantages. “You get more confidence within the industry. There were a lot of questions pre Cambridge around how good they were. “I think Cambridge has proven that off the bat that it is a big add-on to the industry, particularly around this time of year. “I was down in Christchurch for the national week and they had been through a tough month with wet weather, and to get on the synthetic track was such a big positive for the local trainers. “We have also had learnings from the construction process. The same engineer has been used for all three projects.” Treweek said a synthetic surface would be a godsend for racing in the region, particularly during winter. “If we didn’t get a synthetic track in the Central Districts it would have meant more horses would have gone north.” The Awapuni build will have its challenges, with less space to work with compared with Cambridge and Riccarton. “The synthetic track will go inside [the turf track]. We will have a sheet that runs across the course proper inside our 1600m chute, which is a little bit unique, but it has been done overseas so it’s not a first. “That’s where the camber of the track is going to come into play. We are looking at just under a 1600m circumference. If we get up to a 6 per cent camber that will help greatly with those smaller tracks. “In saying that, some of the information that we have received from our engineer, and from overseas, it is still a comparative size to Hong Kong and Singapore.” Treweek said the synthetic surface would also be a welcome addition for Palmerston North trainers. “At Awapuni we have been in debt for a long time, so we haven’t been able to put a lot of money into tracks and facilities. An upgrade like this is going to be huge. “There will be a bit of pain through the building process, but we are doing that over the summer, so fingers-crossed we get some good weather and it doesn’t affect the training of horses in the short term.” Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curious Posted November 4, 2021 Author Share Posted November 4, 2021 I understand preliminary work underway this year. Major earthworks to commence January. ETA June next year. So allowing for any delays, probably not functional for next winter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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