Im for open, transparent and factual conversation/discussion I have a an opinion if Im wrong please prove it to me so I can change!

A definite need for such a facility, has been demonstrated during and after recent abandoments, reducing much needed income from TAB taxation turnovers and reinvestments.

CGTT (Cessnock Greyhound Trial Track) was last known as a registered Race Track in 2006 with allocating race dates of upwards of 40 race meetings a year.

Diligent and committed supporters have kept the track and supporting facilities functioning since issuing of race dates ceased.

CGTT hold public Trialling of Greyhounds generally every Sunday morning and Wednesday afternoon and are well patronised by Greyhound enthusiasts from the Hunter, Upper Hunter, Central Coast and City regions.

CASS (Cessnock Agricultural Show Society) believes that a Greyhound Racing New South Wales (GRNSW) race meeting can almost certainly be held now at the site if needed - this was demonstrated with the highly successful Gymkhana, but being strategically focused recognise the need to determine the finer aspects of general opinion

You are asking me to repeat myself. However, I should add that the relatively recent era of rationalisation included Penrith/Richmond as well as the Cessnock/Maitland and Orange/Bathurst examples.

The future?

1. Fix the outmoded and inefficient management structure.
2. Make the industry customer-centric rather than trainer-centric.
3. Improve tracks - all of them.
4. Streamline the regulatory burden.
5. Mount serious marketing and PR campaigns - preferably nationally - to educate the public about the greyhound and greyhound racing.
6. Work out what sort of club/track structure will be supportable in five years time when the grant money runs out.

I cannot comment on your fresh Maitland point but I did propose some years ago that the trio - dogs, showground, council - should devise long term plans to better utilise the huge area for the community's benefit. It warrants more initiative and imagination. But that's another subject.

There is a reason why bank branches, post offices and corner shops have been rationalised over the last decade; they lack efficiency in a changing and more demanding world and alternatives are available. Racing cannot divorce itself from that world, regardless of how many good people want the good old days to return.

There is no case for returning TAB racing to Cessnock on any ground. Even if there were, where would you find the cash to effect mandatory improvements and which track would it replace in an already full calendar?

Alternatively, by all means create a Centre of Excellence to offer training facilities, a range of industry services, straight tracks and gymkhanas etc if you think that can operate sensibly. But it is, and will be, physically impossible to conduct TAB racing there.

Ron the reason is wednesday afternoon it's 40c

Bruce

Your overall Industry appraisal is text book stuff, thank you for those.

But this thread is about Cessnock !

I don't agree with Kevin Gordons' comments either, but at least he addressed Cessnock.

Kevin,
Maitland and Gosford are not owned by the GBOTA. The land is managed by the Ag Society n allegedly Council respectively. So, what are you going on about ?

Why is it physically impossible to conduct TAB racing there?

The difference in bums on seats at a TAB meeting these days and a country meeting is minimal, so upgrading of patrons facilities can be a pay as you earn objective.

Remembering the facility comfortably caters for in excess of 8,000 patrons at show time each day and in excess of 1000 patrons when special events are held there.

All with Council, Worksafe and Fire approvals - so the CURRENT facility is considered compliant, with modern day regulations without spending $0.01 !

You are exasperating. You asked questions - I answered them.

Every item on my last post, and previous ones, were directed at Cessnock and how it fits into the general scheme of things. Some of those concerned the fine detail of the Cessnock product.

Cessnock is not an island unto itself. Why would you expect GRNSW to treat it as such?

Right now, long lines of perfectly good B747 Jumbos are sitting idle in the Arizona desert. Airbus' mighty A380 is rapidly being overtaken by more efficient but smaller Boeing and Airbus options. Which would you bet on?

This thread started with an editorial about (a) returning Cessnock to glory again, (b) maintenance failures at other tracks, and (c) a call for a vote. All demanded comment.

And, sadly, my "text books" are not being read by people who run the industry. Pity, as I am usually right.

Forgive me for exasperating you, I do that when I am search of fact.

I was expecting an experienced journalist, wouldn't direct general comment, they would be specific!

Anyhow thank you for directing us, to the fact that B747 Jumbos are sitting in the Arizona Desert, I will recommend that scenario is addressed in the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats section, of the Overall Business Plan for Cessnock Greyhounds.

Keep up the beliefs Bruce and thanks for the input.

I still have to repeat myself.

"Physically impossible" because there is no room in the calendar and the industry does not have the funds to start supporting another track - in fact, the betting must be that more tracks will be rationalised over the next few years. Indeed, the Newson reign specifically starting producing interim plans against that eventuality. Since then, the picture has got even darker. Iemma and Mestrov offer no sign of a light at the end of the tunnel.

Bums-seats - generally true however coastal tracks often do better, especially during school holidays. Additionally, marketing measures show pluses when seeking out groups on package deals.

Shows and special events are hardly relevant. But I am racking my brain to fathom what sort of info and incentives I would put in a brochure designed to attract the public to Cessnock greyhounds on a week to week basis. The page is blank. You may well be compliant but that does not mean the offer is attractive. Would I take my house guests along for a nice night out? I don't think so.

As I indicated, there may well be Plans B and C that could embrace alternative uses of the facility, parts of which you have looked at.
So go for your strengths and forget about Tab racing which will not and cannot ever happen. Guarantee it.

NB: I am not a journalist but a writer/commentator/analyst. In a previous life I was heavily involved in corporate planning and government relations. For many years I was also a modest punter but I have pretty well given that away now due to lower field standards, disruptive tracks, lousy pools, the absence of genuine bookmakers, rip-off prices from corporates and the appalling standard of OzChase formguides.

Cessnock racing is a B747. Once great but ....

isn't this topic about jumbo jets?

:-)

Right now 2 out of the 3 tracks are below an acceptable level according to the "experts".
Why would A Centre of Excellence track be any different?
Surely, if they need to bring new people in to maintain a new track why aren't they doing it now??

Sorry everyone, that was more than a "Yes" or a "No" but I needed to ask the question.