Dapto dogs racing to stay for another year as showground is transformed

Modelled on a similar concept in Alexandria, Dapto Agricultural and Horticultural Society (DAHS) who own the land and facilities has this month changed all their branding to The Groundz.

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DAHS chief executive officer Katrina Novak told the Mercury their community consultation feedback was the showground should "move forward with the times".

The Jetty, run by Coal Coast Brewing, will install a temporary pop-up bar at the showgrounds offering craft beer, wine and cocktails while their Bulli venue is closed for upgrades. The bar will run alongside food trucks and live music each Friday to Sunday (launching this week).

Ms Novak gave no timelines to implement other elements of the DAHS masterplan - which include a retirement living development, an indoor recreation precinct, multi-purpose hall, brewery and "paddock to plate" eatery.

Old buildings at the site will be retained to ensure a fitting mix of old and new to retain traditional elements, according to their website.

"Whilst the Society is positively progressing, the project is substantial and will take time, therefore in the interim the Society has a number of exciting offerings that it will be bringing to the showground, the first of which is ... a Bulli-based hospitality group, for a pop-up series," she said.

The DAHS registered to become a public company with the Australian Securities and Investment Commission in 2018 (after years of being a incorporated body).

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While plans for the redevelopment of the showground site began surfacing in 2019.

The Groundz will remain home to dog racing for at least one more year, with a Greyhounds NSW spokesman confirming they have extended their lease until June 2022.

The Mercury understands greyhound officials are developing contingencies for where to host race meets once the lease runs out, which would include developing a new site for racing.

At this stage changes at Dapto showgrounds don't appear to impact the local football season, with goal posts installed and lines marked on the oval for 2021. Markets and the annual agricultural show will also remain in the mix.

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Dapto's Agricultural and Horticultural Society was formed in 1856, with the first show held a year later, according to The Groundz website.

In late 1936 the Dapto Greyhound Club was born "out of the impatience of the Dapto Agricultural & Horticultural Society's bank manager, who wanted a £600 bank debt cleared" - resulting in a greyhound racing licence being granted.