Every level of government including Labor and the Coalition at the state and federal levels have had a hand in making this visionary project, which also includes an equine learning centre, a reality.

Even the club itself came to the party with $2.1 million along with the wider racing industry.

It is a massive turnaround in the club’s fortunes since being beset by worrying financial results, a churn of top-level staff and a poor standard track less than a decade ago.

WTC also was the subject of an operational review by the peak body, Country Racing Victoria.

But the club has been kicking goals on a regular basis since Paul Hoysted provided some critical stability in the chief executive position, culminating with the opening of the grandstand and function centre ahead of one of its biggest meetings on Melbourne Cup day.

The grandstand will seat 300 people undercover and another 600 inside the function centre.

It was built by local company, Browns, and created around 30 jobs alone in the construction phase.

In addition to the grandstand and function centre, 20 single-bed units to be used as student and staff accommodation to attract and develop people to work in the racing industry have also been built.

The growth experienced at Wangaratta is being eyed-off by another race club in the region, Wodonga with a function centre for up to 575 people on its radar.

Wodonga has gained a funding commitment of $1.65 million from the Coalition if it wins government at next month’s Victorian election, but Labor is yet to make a similar pledge even though the club is prepared to chip in $900,000 of its own money.

If successful racing in the North East will be well placed for years to come with first-class function and racing facilities.