116 | LEISURE Wanganui Jockey Club T T Kelly Deeks Club venue catering to its community Wanganui Jockey Club hosts a diverse range of functions including meetings, conferences, training workshops, AGMs, weddings, funerals, public meetings, and other special events. Established in 1848, Wanganui Jockey Club is a jewel in the crown and a facility for the community of Wanganui, with a modern and versatile multi-use function centre and additional facilities, and a central North Island location making it a popular choice as a conference venue. When a major fire destroyed the club’s grandstand in 1997, the Wanganui Function Centre arose from the ashes with improved modern facilities. “Ours is one of the two biggest event centres in Wanganui and has probably the biggest commercial kitchen facilities,” says Wanganui Jockey Club operations manager Bret Field. “We are very popular due to our central location, ample off the road free parking, and great service.” With comfortable seating capacity for up to 600 guests, Wanganui Jockey Club hosts a diverse range of functions including meetings, conferences, training workshops, AGMs, weddings, funerals, public meetings, and other special events. Being a racecourse, every room has a bar and tote facilities, and most rooms have great views of the race tracks. The Jockey Club end of the facilities also has multiple rooms of varying sizes, including a corporate room on the third level, and rooms that can also be utilised for smaller stand-alone events or as break-out rooms for conferences. The Wanganui Function Centre offers a basic food option and also provides a list of preferred local catering suppliers that clients can select from. Bret says this provides a great opportunity for those caterers to be involved in the venue, and for the club to offer diversity. Complementing the Function Centre and the other rooms in the facility is an expanse of outdoor areas, including a substantial free car park that can be used independently for events or provide an indoor/outdoor dimension. A small garden area has been established and designated to weddings, so ceremonies can take place outdoors if preferred while the main reception can be held inside. “Our focus is always on the customer experience, both on racedays and for all the events we host, and our team really try to go out of their way for our stakeholders.” Proudly supporting Wanganui Jockey Club New Vehicles Pre-Owned Stock Parts & Service 06 349 0930 0274 946 405 82 Ridgway Street www.wanganuimotors.co.nz *Terms and Conditions apply. Whanganui Liquorland Whanganui 291 Victoria Avenue, Whanganui, 4500 ph. 06 345 5000 @. manager.wanganui@liquorland.co.nz 100% LOCALLY OWNED EARN AIRPOINTS DOLLARS™ CLICK & COLLECT SALE OR RETURN* EARN FLYBUYS FRIENDLY, EXPERT STAFF GLASSWARE HIRE* CHILLER TRAILER HIRE Come in-store to discover our unmissable offers on beer, wine, spirits and RTDs and if we haven’t got what you’re after, we’ll get it in for you! Let us help with services like Click & Collect, local delivery* and party planning including glass hire! liquorland.co.nz LOCAL DELIVERY* CORPORATE ACCOUNTS* Call us today and let us know howwe can help with your next order! Pleased to supply hire equipment to Wanganui Jockey Club www.hiremasterwanganui.co.nz | www.hiremasterfeilding.co.nz 06 345 7870 029 777 6945 mayfairbake@gmail.com 89 Ridgway St, Wanganui ANDREWKEMP Proudly supportingWanganui Jockey Club Specialising in Fundraising, Sta Shouts & Out Catering The outdoor area and main car park is used for many events including carnivals, shows, circuses, drive-in movies and public events as well as the popular night markets before Christmas. The middle of the racecourse is also used for equine events and fundraisers, local rugby, government agency training, and the new straight greyhound track, the first of its kind in New Zealand, will shortly be operational. Setting Wanganui Jockey Club apart as a function centre is its central location, the diversity of its facilities, the club’s long history in the community (Wanganui has the oldest racing club still operating in New Zealand since 1848), and most importantly the small team of staff who make everything happen. “Our focus is always on the customer experience, both on racedays and for all the events we host, and our team really try to go out of their way for our stakeholders.” Wanganui Jockey Club is proud to be heavily involved with its local community and this helps to ensure the facilities are well-patronised for all events. “We are very lucky to be located in the heart of Whanganui and the venue holds an iconic status in our community, where creating bonds with all of the different organisations and businesses is essential.”
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