| 101 Sue Russell Facilities well used by community Racing Tauranga has a busy season of racing events coming up including its 150th anniversary race-day meeting on November 4. RACING INDUSTRY Racing Tauranga Celebrating 1 0 years bringing thoroughbred horse-racing to the Bay of Plenty is a milestone all associated with Racing Tauranga are very proud of. General Manager, and passionate horse-racing advocate Louise Dean, says the track and facilities at Racing Tauranga’s base at the Maerewaewae Reserve services the community far beyond the thrills and spectacle that accompanies its busy season of horse-racing. ȊWe are a real community resource, providing direct benefit to many organisations who meet in our event centre. These are groups that would struggle to meet the cost of venue hire at other facilities.” Groups such as Tauranga Taekwondo for children from – 1 years train 3 nights a week, indoor archery, 3 nights a week over winter, Taoist Tai Chi Club who have a permanent studio on site, a sorting space for the Lions Club annual book sale and a meeting space for the Journey 9ineyard Church, are Must some of the ways the community benefits from aordable hireage of Racing Tauranga’s event centre. Further than this, the event centre is oered free to many organisations, including NZ Police dog training and Armed Oenders training, the NZ Fire Service for height training, and to Tauranga City Council for New Years’ Eve Celebrations, to name a few. When the racing season gets underway 1 August, the remarkable longevity of the race-course will be celebrated at the 1 0th anniversary race-day meeting on Saturday th November and Louise says planning is well underway to mark the event in special ways. “We’re going to have a vintage feel to the day, with visitors encouraged to dress accordingly. We intend to have a bit of fun with some of our older sponsors to acknowledge their loyalty and contribution to the history of Racing Tauranga.” Louise has been in the role 3 ½ years and says its been a busy and challenging role, engaging with existing and potential sponsors, managing events and ensuring the grounds team are well supported. “We have a high performance sports turf to maintain and we regularly undertake track renovation and conduct audits to ensure the ground is in optimum condition.” And as the home of racing in the Bay of Plenty, the track provides year-round training facilities for several horse training businesses each employing local riders, stable sta, vets, farriers, equine therapists and other allied businesses. Racing Tauranga has 00 club members and employs full-time equivalents, delivering 1 race meetings each season. ȊOur Christmas at the Races meetings in November and December attract 10,000 people and both events are sell-outs every year.ȋ The New World Summer Festival, Waitangi Day races, St Paddy’s Day races and Bayleys International Race Day attract a further 12,000 people, while the mid-winter Kiwifruit Cup Race Day welcomes , 00 through the gates. “I think people would be surprised to learn just how important Racing Tauranga is to the economy. As an institution its incredibly important to the district, providing local businesses with direct benefits through sponsorship and hospitality opportunities. Even local charities benefit through on-site collections, BBQ’s and fundraising events.” Louise says the intrinsic value of the racecourse and facilities goes well beyond providing dedicated racing enthusists with a venue. ȊFor me its very much about the race-day experience and providing people from all walks of life with an opportunity to be in a lovely environment, watching the sheer maMesty of thoroughbreds racing.” Above all, its getting away from the idea that this is an elitist sport and occasion. “I want to see whole families come along and enMoy what we have to oer and to have fun. We get really positive feedback from people who have never been to a racing event before saying how welcoming and friendly it is and that’s wonderful to hear.” On average four events take place each week in the Event Centre, including Gala Dinners, Awards Evenings, School Balls, Weddings, Trade Shows, Conferences and Training Seminars. On-site caterer Food 101 is supported by the busy venue, providing food for all occasions. Racing Tauranga is also home to many high profile events including the BOP Garden and Art Festival Bloom in the Bay, the annual Gem and Mineral Show, and the popular twice-yearly Plant Fest, while the (questrian Centre is used by multiple equestrian groups, including Pony Clubs, Adult Riding Clubs, Dressage, Show Jumping, and the A & P Show. AEGIS Private Security Ltd are proud to be supporting Racing Tauranga. To secure & protect phone Heather Jones 021 323 535 heather@aegisprivatesecurity.co.nz Proud to be associated with Racing Tauranga COMMERCIAL · INDUSTRIAL · AUTOMATION · SERVICE Phone (07) 578 0050 Unit 1, 43 Koromiko St, Judea, Tauranga 0800 Protecting People, Property, and Lifestyle
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