By Brendan Rees
The Cranbourne Turf Club (CTC) has welcomed a $2 million funding boost from Casey Council to transform a former betting ring into a 1400-seat convention centre.
This is on top of CTC securing a $4.95 million loan from the State Government.
Councillors voted at their 21 May meeting to provide the funding which will be sought from the recent land sale of 22-40 O’Tooles Road, Cranbourne.
Casey Council expects the community to receive up to a $2 million return through reduced venue hire for Casey-based not-for-profit organisations and other council functions.
The project, which is tipped to be completed later this year, will create about 185 jobs during construction and provide a further 235 jobs on an ongoing basis.
Cranbourne Turf Club chief executive Neil Bainbridge said the club was delighted with council’s support.
He said the three-way partnership with the State Government and Casey Council was fantastic in delivering a “significant piece of infrastructure.”
“It’s a really exciting project, and one that’s been in the planning now for a number of years, and it’s terrific to be able to move forward,” he said.
“It will create not only economic developments in the area; it’s going to create jobs which is important.
“We’re delighted as a club to be able to add this this important infrastructure out here at the races which is very well set up to be able to accommodate it,” Mr Bainbridge said.
