A storm significantly damaged the Warwick Turf Club racecourse as wind and rain hit the town at 8.30pm on November 26.
Club president Eric Standing said the main damage was to the barrier shed in the northern east corner of the course. “We lost the roof of the members, luckily the tenants of the upstairs flat moved out the previous weekend,” he said.
There was major damage to the underneath of the bookies ring, a small structure was demolished between the members and the betting ring. The finishing post was demolished and 90 per cent of the running rail was blown over. Posts were snapped off at ground level at the eastern end of the enclosure and the roof was blown off 13 horse stalls.
Volunteers from the club were quick to work the following day, and 20 students from the Warwick State High School Clontarf Foundation assisted straightening the running rail on Friday, November 28. There were a few sections of running rail missing with members expecting to find some sections in the adjoining lucerne crop.
The new pavilion which has been booked for many Christmas parties was not damaged in the storm. “There were no lives lost, we can always rebuild and start again,” Mr Standing said. “It was disappointed as facilities were looking a million dollars. We still plan to race on Boxing Day.”
The TAB meeting planned for last Friday was cancelled.
As soon as he heard about the damage on Thursday morning, Racing Queensland Acting CEO Lachlan Murray travelled to Allman Park to see the damage. “I was shocked to see the damage from 180 kilometre an hour winds before the power went out,” he said. “Insurance will play a role in the rebuild as will Racing Queensland, it was great to see how volunteers rolled up their sleeves to get working on the cleanup.”
He said there was more damage from the Warwick storm than Cyclone Alfred, adding, “You can plan for a cyclone but this just snuck up on us, it was just the wind, there was only 15mm rain.”
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