Mowbray to be Renamed Tasman Park
- Thursday, 18 August 2005 00:00
Launceston’s Mowbray racecourse is to be renamed Tasman Park under a naming rights sponsorship arrangement with meat processor Tasman Group Services.
The agreement is for an initial period of three years, with two additional two-year options.
TOTE Tasmania officially announced the sponsorship today during a launch at the venue, which holds thoroughbred, harness and greyhound racing.
The Tasman Group is Australia’s fourth largest meat processor and operates plants at Longford, King Island and Devonport and employs more than 500 people.
Tasman Group Services Managing Director Gilbert Cabral said he was impressed with TOTE Tasmania’s vision for racing in the state and for the further redevelopment of the newly named Tasman Park.
“Our new relationship with the racing industry will create significant benefits for racing clubs that use the venue and we look forward to the next three years and beyond with great anticipation,” he said.
Mr Cabral said since acquiring the Tasman Meats site at Longford, the company had invested more than $5 million for new plant and equipment and to improve existing infrastructure.
“During the next three years, further capital investment worth between $20 and $30 million is planned, which will result in an additional 100 Tasmanian jobs,” he said.
“Tasman Group has made significant investments in Tasmania and in its Tasmanian workforce, and we now want to extend that investment into the community.
“The naming rights association with the racing industry presents us with the ideal vehicle to achieve this.”
TOTE Tasmania CEO Terry Clarke said his Board was delighted that Tasman Group had chosen to support the racing industry in this way.
“TOTE Tasmania is obviously committed to improving the quality of Tasmanian racing facilities and will be extending its lease of Tasman Park until 2035, thereby ensuring a stable platform for the future of racing in northern Tasmania,” he said.
“The improvements proposed for Tasman Park will provide a multi-purpose entertainment venue for the northern community, and one I am confident Tasman Group will be proud to be associated with.
“While TOTE Tasmania and the clubs are working together on these improvements, it is important to note that Tasman Park is already home to one of Australia’s most popular regional racing events in the AAMI Launceston Cup for thoroughbreds.
“And in 2006, Tasman Park will host a heat of the Wrest Point Inter Dominion Pacing Championship and the finals of the National Sprint and Distance Championship for greyhounds,” Mr Clarke said.
Racing Minister Jim Cox said it was particularly pleasing that a major company like Tasman Group had chosen to demonstrate its commitment to the northern Tasmanian community in this way.
“Tasman Group’s commitment to technical excellence and high quality meat products, whether for domestic consumption or export, sits comfortably alongside the core Tasmanian brand values the Tasmanian Government has worked so hard to develop,” Mr Cox said.
“The relationship will create significant benefits for each of the racing clubs operating from this site and I acknowledge the work that TOTE Tasmania Chief Executive Terry Clarke has done to put this agreement together.”
Media Release - TOTE Tasmania
