The Western Australian government will grant the Albany Race Club about four hundred thousand dollars for a major infrastructure upgrade.

Funding from the state government will total $413560, with the Great Southern Development Commission funding the remaining $704000 plus a $220000 assistance grant under the Royalties for Regions Program.

Project contractor Country Builders has negotiated a sponsorship arrangement with the club, which is funding $70440 on its own.

Racing and Gaming Minister Terry Waldron said the grant would help fund building of administration, steward and jockeys’ rooms at Albany Racecourse.

“This grant from the Race Course Infrastructure Grants Program has been made because the current facility had reached the end of its life,” Mr Waldron said.

According to Mr Waldron, the facility now “fails” to comply with industry standards in the area of occupational health and safety.

Mr Waldron said the building will be “energy-efficient” and single-storey, which will be similar to other race clubs at Geraldton and Northam.

Rainwater harvesting, energy-saving devices and timber sourced from renewable plantations will be incorporated into the facility due for completion by 31 October, 2011.