Just over a week after its suspension, Racing and Wagering WA has granted conditional approval for Albany Racing Club to resume racing and host its next meeting on February 28.

RWWA chief racing officer David Hunter made the announcement on Friday, 10 days after the club was suspended due to “ongoing financial challenges” and the subsequent resignation of all seven board members.

He said the industry body had been “working collaboratively” with the club to develop a long-term solution to its financial strife and looked forward to the club hosting the “much-anticipated” Wellington & Reeves Bluff Knoll slot race on March 16.

“I’d like to extend my thanks to (the) industry, who have been understanding of the situation and supported ARC and Racing WA as we’ve worked towards this outcome,” he said.

“And, of course, thank you to the Mt Barker Turf Club for taking on today’s race meeting at short notice to ensure minimal disruption for industry participants.”

RWWA released a statement last Wednesday announcing racing was suspended at ARC’s Percy Spencer Racecourse “immediately” to give the club time to develop a “viable financial plan”.

The suspension resulted in the relocation of the club’s February 21 fixture to the Mt Barker Turf Club.

Alan Smith, who resigned from his role as president along with the rest of the board pending a special general meeting with club members, said all immediate issues have been resolved and the club was now looking forward to a “bright future”.

“It was very happy news to receive this morning,” he said.

“Racing is a $40 million industry in the Great Southern and employs over 250 people directly so we wanted to make our track available and get working again as soon as we could.

“We’ve had lots of offers of support over the last few weeks and the community support has been wonderful.”

Smith expects to see a lot of new faces joining the board following the special general meeting on March 6.

“We need a progressive board than can come on and address these issues, do what it takes to keep us sustainable and compliant,” he said.

“We’ll be working as hard as possible to leave it in a better place than we found it.

“We just need that community support and help — it dropped off a bit over the last few years but, if they want us to put on a show, we need that support.”

Nominations for board positions close at 5pm on February 23.