Major improvements at Royal Randwick and Rosehill Gardens for the Members, Owners and the general public are underway as the
Australian Turf Club (ATC) commences its
growth and investment phase following its recent
profit announcement under the astute leadership of ATC Chairman MICHAEL CRISMALE.
ATC Chairman - Michael Crismale
Some of the changes are
a direct result of the suggestions received from the ATC Members emanating from two recent forums held on Saturday's at both main racecourses, along with
feedback from customers during the first 12 months of the redeveloped
Royal Randwick’s return to
full operation.
At ROYAL RANDWICK
* Already early construction has begun at Royal Randwick on the reversible escalator from the Level 1 seating deck to ground level at the front of the new grandstand, allowing easier movement for
Owners and Members to the Winner’s Stall and Weigh-In area, as well as easier access to the Theatre of The Horse, Longines Winning Owners Room, the Owner's Pavillion and importantly - to the betting ring.
* Extra seating on level 1 outside of the restaurant areas will be made available to Members and ticket holders on race days and be accessible via this new escalator.
* The Ballroom spaces on Level 2 will be opened for ATC Members on race days, where event spaces have not pre-sold, offering
large projector screens, wagering facilities and food and beverages, which will also open up access to further outdoor seating trackside on Level 2.
* Television screens broadcasting races and displaying wagering information on Level 3 of the grandstand is being reviewed, to see if additional screens, or tablets such as IPads, are needed in more viewing areas for our Members and public spaces such as stadium style seating.
At ROSEHILL GARDENS
* The ATC will begin a
major refurbishment of Members and public areas, spending a further $16 million of the $24 million one-off grant from the NSW Government. Among the major works and improvements at Rosehill Gardens, some of which are commencing in the coming weeks are:
* Major refurbishment of our Members bars, public bars and restaurant areas, including the Winning Post restaurant and Champagne Bar in Members, and the Ascot Restaurant
* Moving the betting ring inside the JR Fleming Stand on the current level with work to begin immediately after the Golden Slipper Festival
* Opening up more lawn spaces for Members outside the Grand Pavilion and for the public around the Parade Ring, including extra seating and umbrella covering
* The construction of three (3) new sand training tracks to replace existing cinders surfaces on two training tracks and a small warm-up track
Australian Turf Club CEO Darren Pearce said the Club’s Board and Executive had carefully taken time to listen to our Members and the public before making plans and then starting this work.
Darren Pearce ATC CEO
“We have always wanted to make sure that the bulk of the $24 million grant from the NSW Government for Rosehill Gardens was spent wisely and for improvements to last well into the future,’’ Mr Pearce said.
“At Royal Randwick we have again listened carefully to our Members, Owners, Trainers and All of our customers as everyone has become accustomed to a facility which is still new.
“As we now continue to reduce legacy debt and improve the Club’s profitability, we can now enter a period of rewarding our Members and customers with improved facilities.’’
The announcement today by the ATC relating to its current and future development improvements
are in addition to the wonderful announcements earlier this week, relating to the development of the
170 room hotel at the top of the Randwick Straight and the planned adaption of night racing to Royal Randwick in place of Canterbury.
It's certainly exciting times at Headquarters and Rosehill Gardens, thanks to the ATC leadership group.
* Membership is up significantly to 15,144
* Attendances are up 89,000 over the past 12 months
* We have world-class racing facilities
* We have wonderful levels of prize money and the ATC will add an extra $400,000 through several upgraded races this financial year.
* We have been delivered world-class racing via The Championships.
* The Board and executive have worked seamlessly to return a profit for the first time since the merger of $3.784 million
* The Board and executive have also reduced debt by $18 million last financial year and have $17 million in funds allocated for debt retirement in this financial year.
* Teething issues relating to the new Randwick Grandstand facilities and Theatre of the Horse have been identified and are being ironed out.
* Racehorse Owners have world-class facilities at Randwick on racedays.
* Work is earmarked for improvements at Rosehill, Canterbury and Warwick Farm.
These facts are all supported by the independent auditors.
If you're an ATC member and satisfied with the advancement the club is making VOTE to return the Current Board at next Thursday's ATC Board Elections.