StrathAyr turf to be installed as part of redeveloped Mackay Ooralea Racecourse

A $7.4 million that aims to transform Mackay's Ooralea Racecourse into a contemporary racing and function venue is underway.

Racing Queensland Project Director Mark Snowdon that leading field and sport turf provider StrathAyr will work as contractors on the new track while Contour Consulting Engineers had been appointed project managers.

Snowdon explained "the first thing they (the contractors) will be doing is grading the old harness track so training can continue there.

"It is a big thing; Mackay's racetrack is definitely in a position where it needs some money spent on it. (This redevelopment) will provide a good quality racetrack that will last another 40 to 50 years.

"StrathAyr is a company that has built a number of racetracks across Australia and they also do things such as Suncorp Stadium and are good at manufacturing grounds that can drain extremely well."

Snowdon said Racing Queensland representatives recently met with Mackay Turf Club to discuss the tender process and refining the work so it would fit into the budget.

"We went up to Mackay to brief the committee and see what exactly was going to happen, basically earmarking the commencement of it all.

"The new track will be down by the end of November, then it has a 12-week growing period. We are planing the wet season will help us with that."

Snowdon said the tender for the building works would be announced shortly, adding "we are moving the finish line 30metres to the north, towards the entrance, and then building a new public facility at the new finish line. So it will be a much better quality facility than what they have at the moment.

"Most of the existing bars and function areas will remain and they will get some money spent on them as well, but the focus will be on this new facility we are spending a couple of million dollars on."

Mackay Turf Club President Ian Joblin is excited to have StrathAyr as part of the redevelopment, adding "StrathAyr has been appointed; they obviously have a fantastic reputation around the world with thoroughbred racetracks. I am looking forward to their input into it.

"Just keep our fingers crossed now for some good weather for the next six months.

"Hopefully, it will take less than two-and-a-half months and we should see the civil works of the track completed. That will give us mid-December through to March to well and truly have the grass stabilised and ready to race on."

Joblin said the Turf Club was working on providing a phantom race meeting for Melbourne Cup day, stating "having phantom race meetings, that is positive news for us, and we're certainly happy that the guys from StrathAyr are willing to work in with us there.

"It does mean we will have some logistics on the day, making sure we have public safety, as it will be a work site.

"There will be some teething issues but we are confident we can work through it to give the Mackay public the chance to enjoy the afternoon so they are not completely without a venue for Melbourne Cup."