GRV announced that the Wangaratta Greyhound Racing Club would no longer host race meetings from June 26 this year after it was estimated that the Avian Park facility needed more than $6 million in redevelopment work.

A GRV press release said a letter had been received “from the Rural City of Wangaratta (Council) which, while supporting WGRC endeavours to remain operational at Avian Park, provided no financial or other commitment for any future development of Avian Park”.

But the rationale behind the decision has been condemned, with Wangaratta Council chief executive Doug Sharp asserting the council had not been in contact with GRV since 2007.

“We’re very concerned at the implication that the council has taken no interest in this matter,” Sharp said yesterday.

“We’re also very concerned that we’ve been implicated in the decision at all.

“Our only discussion with Greyhound Racing Victoria was in 2007 when we just discussed ideas and scenarios they had about further development of greyhound racing in Wangaratta.

“Since then we’ve had no further consultation or communication from them at all.

“It was only less than two months ago that we wrote a letter in support of Wangaratta Greyhound Racing Club’s continued operation and the development of Avian Park.”

WGRC manager Neville Tait has questioned GRV’s reasoning, claiming the estimated cost of redevelopments was excessive.

“GRV are assuming they need to build a new track, a new kennel block, everything,” Tait said.

“The track is perfectly OK, there’s no problem with it at all.

“Basically all they’re up for is to update the restaurant.”

GRV revealed it’s intentions to cease Wangaratta meetings after announcing a $4.6 million upgrade of the Beckley Park track at Geelong.