State Budget 2025: Albany Racing Club windfall with $3.4m allocation for upgrades to Percy Spencer racecourse

Albany Racing Club is celebrating an unexpected $3.84 million State Budget windfall. Having lashed out at Labor before the election when it looked as though they were going to let the sport fall at the first fence, club president Alan Smith is this week jumping for joy over the cash allocated for infrastructure upgrades at Percy Spencer Racecourse. The Albany club’s windfall was part of a bigger Statewide pot of $25.2m which will also boost Albany Harness Racing Club to the tune of $853,000, Mt Barker Turf Club ($200,000) and Pingrup Race Club ($77,000). Prior to the State election in March, Mr Smith accused Labor of “leaving racing in the lurch” at a time when he said funding was critical to improve ageing facilities across the State. “We all need money to survive and build up infrastructure, which is getting very run down,” he said at the time. “It was reported we were going to get some of this money and now we are going to be left in the lurch.” This week, however, he said he was very happy with the allocation and felt his comments before the vote might have helped the Government change tack. “We are very pleased to get the money and that will help us get back on track,” he said. “Our first priority will be to get our buildings up to scratch because a lot of work is needed there.” The club has had a tumultuous year so far having been suspended by Racing and Wagering WA in February for “ongoing financial challenges” and the resignation of all seven board members. The race meeting scheduled for February 21 had to be shifted to Mt Barker but conditional approval to resume racing was granted in time for the Percy Spencer track to hold the prestigious $400,000 Wellington and Reeves Bluff Knoll slot race in March. A new board, which includes former Labor MP Alannah MacTiernan, was put in place in early March. Mr Smith said the infrastructure upgrades would improve the experience for race-goers as well as ensure buildings were compliant around health and safety legislation. He also said there would be new women’s toilets. However, improvements to reticulation and the track were “a couple of years away”. “We are not shovel ready and we need to get architects, plans and ground works done,” Mr Smith said. He hoped the design and planning stages could be done by the time racing resumes on November 2, with ground being broken after the season ends in May next year.