The Penola Racing Club is set to undergo major track improvements, thanks to $700,000 in funding from Racing SA.

The project will see the current racing surface widened to enable increased field sizes and rail movement along with the installation of a state-of-the-art irrigation system.

Penola Racing Club president Mark Edwards and his committee were chuffed when they were advised last week they would receive the funding.

“It is an exciting time for racing in the South East and we are really looking forward to what is ahead,” Mr Edwards said.

“It is a great show of support and confidence in Limestone Coast Racing from Racing SA.”

Mr Edwards said the project will strengthen what Penola is already doing and will also enhance the appeal for trainers across South Australia and over the border.

Penola Racing Club vice president Justin Kain said he was looking forward to the upgrades coming together at the local racecourse.

“It is great to see it come to fruition … the project has been in the pipeline for several years,” he said.

Work has already commenced with the old irrigation system having been removed.

Racing SA operations manager Nick Bawden said the Limestone Coast had always been a strong racing region and this investment was a commitment to the area.

“The widening of the track will not only allow for increased field sizes, which has a direct influence on turnover, it will give the club more flexibility managing their course throughout the winter months,” he said.

“The South East has been a really strong performer for a long period of time in thoroughbred racing in South Australia.

“We have seen race meetings increase in the area and tracks being able to race throughout the year, which predominantly perhaps, given the climate down there, was not always possible through winter.

“We are confident the drainage works and these irrigation projects are only going to further assist that.

“It is a significant investment into the region and the region deserves it.

“There are a lot of hard-working volunteers at the clubs down in the South East and I think it is a testament to them and the work they put in that has attracted a lot of this investment.”

Mr Bawden said it was important to invest in regional racing clubs due to the social and economic benefits.

“We know that racing is a huge part of the social fabric, and coming through a time like COVID and then enabling communities to really come together again I think racing for a long period of time has shown that it plays a big part in that,” he said.

“To be able to race in the region 12 months of the year is going to be fantastic for the local businesses and trainers down there as well as attracting people to the area.

“Further to that, racing and the extended part of racing is a huge business South Australia as well as the country.

“To be able to race particularly in the South East over the 12 months, it means for not only the small businesses and their employees, the trainers and the stable staff, but the extended people through the fodder stores and gear shops and all of those sorts of things, the business is running 12 months of the year.

“It is having that direct economic impact as well as tourism, which is so important for the areas especially coming out of COVID.”

The project will be completed around September and racing in Penola will resume on Sunday, November 12.