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Wangaratta Turf Club has consolidated its position as one of regional Victoria’s premier racing venues with the opening of the new grandstand, function centre and equine learning facility.

Victoria’s Minister for Racing Martin Pakula and Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes officially opened the new $7 million development which is part of the Wangaratta Master Plan Stage Two Development.

The new facility provides a state-of-the-art venue for racing and community events, with undercover seating and capacity for up to 300 people.

The multi-purpose grandstand will also enable the club to conduct non-racing events including business seminars, conferences and private functions.

The Labor Government is providing $1.9 million towards the project with $1.5 million coming from the Victorian Racing Industry Fund and $400,000 from the Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund.

The club provided $2.1 million towards the project, Racing Victoria provided $300,000 and the Rural City of Wangaratta provided $300,000.

The Victorian Government is also providing almost $74,000 from its Raceday Attraction Program towards Wangaratta’s Launch Through to Summer 2018-19 racing series until April 2019.

The next race meeting in the series will be Melbourne Cup Day at Wangaratta on November 6.

The club is providing more than $84,000 towards the series, with Country Racing Victoria contributing $14,000.

Since 2014 the Labor Government has provided more than $3.4 million to support nine infrastructure projects and 15 racing events at Wangaratta racecourse.

“This investment in the Wangaratta Turf Club will ensure Wangaratta remains a major Hub for racing, training and equine education in regional Victoria,” Pakula said.

“The Government is upgrading racing facilities across Victoria to ensure we remain the premier racing state and to ensure jobs and investment continue to grow in regional areas.”