CASINO SHOWGROUNDS:
Richmond Valley Council has been working on its vision to upgrade and revitalise the Casino Showground since 2018, with the project receiving a major funding boost from the NSW and Federal Governments in November 2020. A total of $8.2 million was provided under the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund to help transform the site into a regional centre for equestrian activities and major community events. This was followed by a further $4.6 million allocated in 2023 towards the project from the same funding source due to its advanced progress in comparison to other projects funded in this program. Combined with additional funding from the NSW Showground Stimulus Program, Drought Communities Funding, Crown Lands programs, Flood Recovery program and Council, this brought the total investment in the redevelopment to $14.4 million.
The Casino Showground and Racecourse Master Plan – adopted by Council in 2018 following consultation with showground user groups and the community – aims to position the facility as the premier equestrian centre in the Northern Rivers, opening the way for new major events and attracting visitors from throughout the region and interstate. The site has huge potential for a range of activities centred around Richmond Valley’s agricultural heritage and combined with the opportunity for the Casino Race Club to expand its operations, it is set to become a major drawcard.
The Showground upgrade has now been completed and Council looks forward to the many benefits it will bring to the community and the local economy. The upgrade project includes:
- A 40m x 80m undercover multipurpose arena
- An outdoor turf equestrian warm up/pony club area
- 40m x 40m outdoor sand warm up area
- 60 undercover event day horse stalls
- 80 racehorse training stables
- Centre Arena improvements including surface, lighting and stock yard improvements
- Race track and sand training track upgrades and a 50m equine exercise pool
- Amenities, truck and float accesses and associated carparking
- Power upgrades including overnight camping
- Fire safety improvements
- Internal road, landscaping and signage upgrades.
The extra funding received has allowed Council to enhance a number of facilities included in the upgrade including increasing the seating capacity of the covered multi-purpose events arena to 2,500 people, improving access arrangements and internal roads and car parking, as well as building an equine pool to support the racehorse training facilities.
The site has huge potential for a range of activities centred around the Richmond Valley’s agricultural heritage and combined with the opportunity for the Casino Race Club to expand its operations, it is set to become a major drawcard for the Northern Rivers region.
Show jumping, dressage, camp draft, rodeo, and cross country will all be able to be catered for, along with other agricultural shows which may require space, either undercover or in the open.
The official opening of the Casino Showground and Racecourse upgrade was held on Saturday 20th April 2024. It revealed a large undercover arena, an outdoor sand area, a new racing stable complex to accommodate up to 80 horses, and a new truck and float parking area. The new equestrian exercise area, which includes round yards, a horse walker and a 50-metre equine pool, will be a huge draw card for equestrians who can use it to improve the fitness of their horses.
Other work completed, such as the powered event camping area, will increase the facility’s ability to host additional events including, country music festivals, car shows, trade shows and markets. These events are expected to boost the local economy by attracting visitors from across NSW to stay in the Northern Rivers and boost economy at businesses in the region.
