By Brendan Rees
A former betting ring at Cranbourne Racecourse will be transformed into a 1400-seat convention centre.
The Andrews Government has committed to providing a $4.95 million loan to the Cranbourne Turf Club to convert the former betting ring into a new convention centre that will become a sports and entertainment hub for Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs.
The centre would operate separately from the racing centre, with its own access from Grant Street, to allow private functions to be run on race days.
The project, which is tipped to be completed by September 2019, will create about 185 jobs during construction and provide a further 235 jobs on an ongoing basis.
Member for Eastern Victoria Daniel Mulino joined Labor candidate for Cranbourne Pauline Richards and Cranbourne Turf Club chief executive Neil Bainbridge in making the announcement on Tuesday 30 October.
Mr Mulino said it was “really exciting ambitious project.”
“Cranbourne is growing and locals deserve first class sports and entertainment facilities close to home, and with this loan, Labor is delivering them,” he said.
“A convention centre, I believe is absolutely critical for a community.”
Minister for Racing Martin Pakula said: “The new convention centre at the Cranbourne Turf Club benefits not just Victorian racing, but the entire community of Casey.”
Mr Perera said the Cranbourne Racing Complex was “our local areas largest employer” and the new convention centre would “certainly boost our local economy in many ways.”
“This will create local jobs and turn Cranbourne racecourse into a sports and entertainment hub for the local community,” he said.
Cranbourne Turf Club chief executive Neil Bainbridge warmly welcomed the announcement, saying the development had been in the pipeline for years and would complement well with Bunjil Place in Narre Warren.
“We run about a 100 non-race day functions and events,” he said. “We run a lot of school valedictory dinners, last week we had three nights in a row. A lot of these schools in this area they’re looking for facilities that can cater for more than 500 or 600.
“This will be able to cater for groups as small as 20, whether you want to have a little meeting or rehearsal little place and then obviously up to 1400.
“You would be able to reshape the room to whatever size you like. The capacity will be significant, with a purpose built stage and proper loading areas,” Mr Bainbridge added.
“This will become a real central point, a hub for the community.
Mr Bainbridge said the convention centre would enhance the gateway to the racing complex.
“To think that this reserve sits on 468 acres in the heart of Cranbourne – a major activity centre in the south east – it’s got wonderful opportunities.”
Treasurer Tim Pallas said: “We’re helping build the facilities that local communities need, maintaining and building on our state’s sports and entertainment heritage.”
