They will make the most of the refreshed Wannon Park facilities which have undergone a $1.4 million upgrade over the past four months.

Warrnambool Greyhound Racing Club manager Craig Monigatti said the track would return to weekly racing – much to the delight of hard-working trainers and their connections.

“The number of requests for when we’re re-starting have been building and building,” he said.

“The demands are there, so we’re back now every Thursday night between this week and Christmas.

“The local trainers are really keen to get back.

“It’s been a hard few months for them travelling at least two hours to other tracks in Ballarat, Geelong and Horsham, so they’re really keen to get back and race in Warrnambool.”

Monigatti said the upgrades – the result of a joint funding package between the Labor government and Victorian Racing Industry Fund – would benefit the wider community as well the the racing fraternity.

“We’ve got a brand new judges’ tower and fully refurnished and refurbished function rooms,” he said.

“We’ve also done some works on the track for animal welfare issues and the kennels have been much improved.”

Monigatti said Warrnambool’s track could host 65 race meetings a year and now had facilities which would cater for large community functions.

“It now has a modern facility and a multi-purpose venue that has been improved for use by the local community all year,” he said.

“The major works have seen the full refurbishment of the Wannon Function Centre.

“This space is now ideally suited to host a range of racing, corporate and private events.”

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