The wait to stage rodeo events locally – including potential national titles – has finally come to an end for the Young Pro Rodeo Club.
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Now a new journey can begin for the club following Young Shire Council’s approval of a development application to build a new multi-million dollar arena suitable for all equine sports on 22 acres at Toompang Racecourse.
It’s something club president Paul Blake and his committee have been searching for and working towards for almost 10 years.
Called the Young Equine and Livestock Centre, its construction will begin in two months with hopes of hosting a rodeo event within 12 months.
“We’re stoked… we’ve been looking for a home ground for the last five to 10 years,” Paul said.
“We've got a lot of Australian title holders living in Young from the past from the Day brothers to Rod Thorp and quite a number of other blokes who live in the area who are a big part of the association,” he said.
Fellow committee member Damian Nott said the DA approval “marked the true beginning of this project”.
Prior to 2005 the club used to run their events at the Young Showground.
But a portable arena required a great deal of labour and so began their search for a more permanent fixture.
Their prayers were answered when an offer pretty much fell into their hands, coming from the Burrangong Picnic Race Club.
“They got wind we were searching for a ground and they invited us out here,” committee member and competitor Rod Thorp said.
“The race club want to use this facility more and more… without them this wouldn’t be possible.”
Young Shire Council approved the facility’s construction at their last monthly meeting on April 16, which saw councillors unanimously vote in favour of the proposal.
The first stage of the arena will involve leveling the land – which at the moment is a sheep paddock located between the racecourse and Milly Milly Lane – and the start of construction.
In total phase one is predicted to cost $150,000.
There are also plans to construct 80 car parking spaces and plant trees along three boundary fences, including that in Milly Milly Lane.
“[All up] the facility could cost $10-$30 million – it depends on how much strength we’ve got,” Paul said.
He said the club will be applying for grants and approaching the government for funds. Basically, whatever they can get.
They would also like to build a roof over the arena but, again, the club will need to raise more money before heading down that path.
“It’s just going to get bigger and bigger,” Paul said.
The Young Pro Rodeo Club would like to thank those who have supported them through the entire process, including council, the Burrangong Picnic Race Club, MA Steel, Melinda Thorp and Karen Kemp for completing the paperwork, Paul Blake, the Day boys for the donation of their cattle, and everyone else who has helped out.
