PORT AUGUSTA & DISTRICT CLUB ANNOUNCEMENT
Media Release
March 2019
PORT AUGUSTA & DISTRICT GREYHOUND CLUB ANNOUNCEMENT
The Committee of the Port Augusta and District Greyhound Club (PADGC) met recently to discuss the future viability of its operations. Racing at the northern venue has become increasingly hampered by a gradual decline in the number of trainers and greyhounds in the region, or travelling from closer to Adelaide, being available to support full race meetings at Port Augusta. Separately, the impact of extreme heat through four months of the year only adds to the Club’s challenge.
Despite the tremendous lengths to which the Club has gone to preserve a racing opportunity in that region, the Committee has formed the view that it can no longer add the same value to industry that was once the case. As a result the club has unanimously resolved that, beyond June 30 this year, the Club will not apply for any further racing dates. Additionally, the Committee identified that the final of the Port Augusta Cup on the afternoon of June 29, would constitute its final race meeting.
In the months ahead, GRSA and Port Augusta will work together to celebrate the Club’s rich history and to acknowledge the many volunteers who have supported racing at the Club.
Since commencing operations in 1978, the PADGC has enjoyed an extremely strong connection with the local community. It has worked tirelessly to retain crowds and industry support in the modern era despite the growing challenges of running as a non-TAB venue within a framework which revolves around the televised broadcast of racing.
The Club has asked for any further queries in the short-term to be directed to Matt Watson - GRSA Marketing Manager on (08) 8243 7115.