Penrith Paceway future uncertain

The future of one of Sydney’s last remaining harness racing tracks, Penrith Paceway, is on the line.

The Penrith Harness Racing Club received the news by Infrastructure New South Wales yesterday that it plans to rebuild the Penrith Stadium on that land.

Currently the Penrith Stadium, home to the Penrith Panthers Rugby League team, is located adjacent to the Paceway.

Penrith Paceway chief executive officer Tash Greentree is disappointed of the news.

“The advice we have received from Infrastructure NSW flies in the face of recent conversations with Minister for Western Sydney Stuart Ayres, in which he had indicated a ‘win-win’ would be reached in any negotiations,” Greentree stated.

“There is no suggestion in the acquisition notice from INSW that any consideration is being given to assist us to relocate or continue operations in any way.

“To our knowledge, no planning has been done yet to indicate how our entire 11-hectare site would be used for the Stadium, yet they are moving now in the acquisition process.

“We want to assure that we will do everything possible to create the best possible outcome which for us would mean the funds and the location that would ensure continuity of the many businesses onsite.”

The Penrith Showground has been operational for 177 years and has hosted harness racing meetings since 1964.

Harness Racing New South Wales chief executive officer John Dumesny was equally “alarmed” with the news.

“At this time, the information from the Government is rather ‘raw’ to both the Club and the Controlling Body. It requires further substantial interaction with numerous parties and will be ongoing with thorough diligence,” Dumesny said in a media release.

“Like all of the Penrith community, Harness Racing NSW had been aware of speculation that the Paceway site could be considered by some for the construction of a new stadium, but the sudden notification to the Penrith Club from Infrastructure NSW is alarming.

“The where and why of a new stadium is not for our comment, but as the Controlling Body we will make every endeavour to ensure that the interests of the Penrith Club and the wider harness racing industry are protected.”

The only other harness racing tracks in the Sydney basin that still run official meetings are Bankstown Paceway and Tabcorp Park Menangle.

by Amanda Rando, for Harnesslink