WORK has begun on the $35 million upgrade of the Gold Coast Turf Club.
Declaring it an historic day, GCTC Chairman Brett Cook yesterday put a hammer through the 20-year-old brick building to begin work on a double-storey corporate box facility, refurbishment of the upper level of the grandstand and a new pool.
About $12 million will be spent on the first phase of the upgrade, which will be followed by a redevelopment of the racetrack and training facilities.
"This is the first step in moving forward to becoming a club which can regularly hold metropolitan meetings," he said. "These facilities will be first-class and will allow us to maximise on corporate opportunities."
The move has been endorsed by Magic Millions.
Racing Queensland Chairman Kevin Dixon has confirmed the Gold Coast will be used as a "mini metropolitan track" once the upgrades are complete, which will ease the pressure Eagle Farm and Doomben.
