HORSHAM will soon be home to a new function centre.
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Horsham and District Racing Club received funding on Thursday for the new entertainment and function centre at Horsham Racecourse.
The project received $175,000 from the state government's Victorian Racing Industry Fund. Horsham Harness Racing Club will pitch in $350,000, the Wimmera Racing Club $75,000, and Racing Victoria and Country Racing Victoria $100,000 combined. This brings to total for the project to $700,000.
The new centre will be able to host up to 100 people. It will extend from the existing grandstand and feature full glass frontage with views of the track and winning post and include a bistro and cafe, commercial kitchen, cool room, keg room, kids area and storage.
Horsham and District Harness Racing Club president Robbie Connelly said the project was at least two years in the making.
"It's more or less a re-development of what we have been using. It's a real positive for the club you know it shows that the Horsham Harness Racing Club and Wimmera Racing Club are willing to back the area," he said.
"Wimmera Racing and Horsham Harness Racing clubs share the complex. We've got a great relationship and this shows that I think.
"It's an improvement on an already good facility and a well earned one too. A lot of people have done a lot of hard work into getting this redevelopment done."
Horsham and District Harness Racing Club chairman Jason Merlo said the centre would provide another function room option for Horsham.
"We need it. Everyone is always looking for new venues to have events. We will be able to use it for our cup day and Melbourne Cup functions, as well as other community events," he said.
Mr Merlo said construction of the centre would start in January and Horsham contractors would be used.
"Hopefully it will be done by October 2020 before our cup meet," he said.
The club's next meet will be the Horsham Santa Day Races on Sunday. Gates open at 12pm and the first race is at 1.10pm.
The state government allocated $15,000 from its Victorian Racing Industry Fund - Raceday Attraction Program towards the event. The club will tip in more than $33,000 and Country Racing Victoria more than $4,000.
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