Ballarat returned to racing this week after a six-week closure with the club’s brand-new, State Government-supported $3.3 million state-of-the-art Racing Operations Centre (kennel upgrade) now in operation.

The Racing Operations Centre incorporates 14 bays containing 112 large kennels, hot & cold-water dog wash areas, stewards’ room, veterinary room, swab kennel bay, isolation kennels, laundry/storeroom, grassed and undercover outdoor areas and a standalone participant/public toilet block.

Ballarat GRC Manager Jodie Faralla said she felt a great sense of pride about the new facilities.

“We’re very fortunate to have a brand-new Racing Operations Centre (ROC) and it’s not something we take for granted,” Jodie said.

“It’s a huge effort to get to this point, where we are back racing again after our short break.

“The amount of work that the team has achieved over the last six weeks has been amazing, and it’s fantastic to have participants and dogs back at the club.

“We’ve heard a lot of positive feedback. People are amazed by the size of the new building.”

Mark Roberts (left) with one of his two winners at Ballarat on Monday night, and (right) local trainer Wayne Gray, who was full of praise for the new facilities.

Jodie said the Club has retained some materials and infrastructure from the old kennel block to create a connection between the old and the new.

“There’s still some finishing touches like landscaping and a path here and there, but it will be complete in the next couple of weeks,  which is really exciting.”

Local trainer Wayne Gray said he was blown away by the new facilities.

“This really lifts the club up. The design is fantastic. There’s so much open space.

“It’s the best facilities I’ve seen in greyhound racing, and I’ve been in the sport since I was eight years old.”

The new project includes a $1.6 million investment from the Victorian Government.

To read more about this project, please click here