132 | The bay’s largest asset Marquee wedding. The Cheval Lounge. Hawkes Bay Racing Club Inc COMMUNITY T T Richard Loader Just a short stroll from the vibrant township of Hastings, Hawke’s Bay Racing Incorporated (HBRI) is the bay’s largest community asset, and the goal is to utilise its many facilities 365 days a year. HBRI lends itself perfectly to an array of events from small scale meetings to corporate conferences, from weddings and 21st birthdays, through to cultural events and old favourites like Christmas in the Park and fireworks displays. HBRI’s premier lounge is the Cheval Room, which caters for to up 250 people, and is located right next to the parade ring and the track itself. Throughout the members and public stands, HBRI boasts a total of 14 function and meetings room and bars of varying sizes and compositions, that can cater for a wide range of community needs. During race days the extensive lawns and grounds are utilised with a lot of temporary infrastructure and in those long hot Hawke’s Bay summer months there is nothing better than venturing out from the stand and enjoying the wonderful outdoor setting. But recently appointed Operations Manager Thomas Nicolle acknowledges that as a largescale venue, HBRI has been well underutilised and that is something that both Management and board are now focused on turning around. “Over the past few months the Cheval Room has played host to a number of events, and the Hawkes Bay Model Train Show was hosted over Kings Birthday Weekend, with over 1200 members of the public making their way onsite. Recently, weddings and school balls have utilised the facility with successful events run. Puhoro College and RYDA Road Safety have both hosted school-age workshops on-site not only using the Cheval Lounge, but the majority of different function and meeting rooms throughout the members stand, which holds a total of fourteen different areas to book.” Outside of event bookings, Tom says HBRI has established lease agreements with a range of local, community-based groups who use the venue on a weekly basis. “Hastings Potters Christian Church, a Havelock North Karate Club, Extreme Fitness Gym and The Hawkes Bay Dog Club are all frequent users of the spaces available throughout the stands and outdoor areas. Throw in regular training from Hastings Fire and Police services and there’s always something happening at the racecourse.” A well-known personality in Hawke’s Bay’s hospitality industry for over twenty years, Tom has worked throughout the region in a number of roles and brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise working with clients to bring their event requirements to life. “We work one-on-one with each client to make sure that we can assist them in making their event exactly what they want on the day.” Working alongside HBRI is BBQ Gourmet who lease a kitchen area and are the on-site catering company that most of the events and functions book with for their day. “The team at BBQ Gourmet have cemented a great relationship with HBRI and we’re proud to have them working with us on not only racing events, but non-racing events and functions also.” Proud to be associated with Hawkes Bay Racing Club Inc Luxury Restrooms for your special occasion Karen and Rob Bray Our amazing units contain fresh water flushing toilets and urinals, large foyers with mirrors and vanity benches, quality hand sanitiser, luxurious hand lotions and music playing throughout to provide your guests an inviting environment. 06 857 8757 | 0272 355 996 karen@premierloos.co.nz
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=