After an extended period on the open market, Harness Racing NSW (HRNSW) won the bid to secure the showground permanently in Taminda.

The Tamworth Pastoral and Agricultural Association executive accepted the bid this week which will allow racing to continue, without any interruptions.

“In securing this site the opportunities are endless especially in the harness racing activities,” HRNSW Chief Executive John Dumesny said.

“The HRNSW Board has made an immediate commitment to a substantive infrastructure spend on the Showground inclusive of members and public facilities as well as an all weather cover to the existing race stalls.” 

Racing was set to move to a new facility, purchased on the outskirts of town in 2013, but a development application was never submitted to council.

Despite the sale, the 2017 Tamworth Show will still go ahead at the showground in March, next year.

HRNSW said it was aiming to convert the 200 permanent stables already in place at the track into an accessible training centre. 

Tamworth Pastoral and Agricultural Association President Brett Nies predicted the future direction of the Association and the Tamworth Show was bright.

“For us, as a group of volunteers the sale is a great outcome as it preserves the recreational use of the Showground and it secures the Associations viability in the long term future for the community of Tamworth,” he said. 

“This sale opens the door to a new era for the Association and the community, with the show dates moving to September in 2018 to the modern AELEC centre.”