R40m horse-racing upgrade to wow Bay visitors and residents

FAIRVIEW Racecourse in Greenbushes boasts extensive refurbishment valued at R40m and it’s up and running in time for the March-April holidays that will see scores of visitors heading for Nelson Mandela Bay.

Horse-racing, not just at Fairview, but also Arlington in Walmer, will be one of the attractions that will keep residents and visitors, who are in a holiday mood, busy.

“During the last few years, a decision was taken to create one flagship racecourse in Port Elizabeth and as such, Fairview is fast becoming a showpiece,” said Luciano Passerini, general manager of Phumelela Gaming & Leisure that operates both racecourses.

Now Fairview offers bigger and better facilities for not just horse-racing enthusiasts, but also for members of the public who would like to hold corporate functions and the likes of weddings at the racecourse.

“The existing HB Christian Room has been extended and includes an open plan bar, a new smoking room was built on the top floor of the venue and a new office for the commentator was added. There is also a new office for the photo finish staff, a tote area has been built inside the venue, the kitchen has been upgraded and modernised, toilet facilities have been upgraded and furniture replaced.

“We are still busy with work on the building of the Polytrack - an all-weather surface track being built inside the existing turf track - that will be the first of its kind in South Africa.  There is a similar training track at Randjiesfontein in the Gauteng area, but it is only used for training, not for actual horse-racing purposes,” said an excited Passerini.
Work on the Polytrack will be complete end July 2013.

“I am very excited about the Polytrack as it should introduce a totally new approach in the way races will be run as the surface is a lot faster and more horse-friendly,” said Passerini.

Over the upcoming holiday season from 29 March until 7 April, that includes the Easter weekend from 29 March – 1 April, thoroughbred horse-racing will be held at Arlington on 29  March from noon until 5pm and at Fairview on 5 April from noon until 5pm.

“We invite people in the Bay to come and join us. Lunch is served and there is always plenty of entertainment,” said Passerini.

After a day at the races, visitors to the city and residents can make their way to the Boardwalk Casino and Entertainment Centre on 30 March to watch Cape Town in Concert that has received rave reviews in the Mother City.

Bay visitors and residents will have the opportunity to watch musicians from Cape Town live at the Vodacom Amphitheatre from 8pm until late. The show features Gavin Roman who according to event organisers, Midea Events, has taken Cape Town by storm with his soulful voice and his own interpretation of old and new songs.  Joining him on stage will be Saadiqa Davids, Janine Cupido and Zubair Vardien. Tickets are available from Computicket for R100.00.

For a more detailed look at what’s on offer in Nelson Mandela Bay from 29 March until 7 April browse the news and events page of our website. Also, don’t forget to look at the information about the Nelson Mandela Bay Pass available from NMBT. It consists lots of good ideas to keep visitors and residents busy over the March-April holiday and offers some really good deals.

Click here to Win a VIP day for two to the biggest racemeeting of the year in the Eastern Cape