MyPE

Community Business Directory, Event Listings, News and Views from Gqeberha, Nelson Mandela Bay

Fairview Racecourse improvements

By

Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism (NMBT) understands the value and importance of a responsible and successful tourism destination. During 2012 foreign direct spend amounted to R 920 081 556 (19%), sustaining 7 224 jobs while domestic tourism amounted for about 80.7% (R3.84 billion) of the overall direct spend (R4.76 billion) into the Nelson Mandela Bay’s economy sustaining over 30 000 jobs therefore in total accounting for over 37 000 jobs. Nelson Mandela Bay has scenic beauty, magnificent outdoors, sunny climate, cultural diversity and reputation for delivering value for money.

NMBT CEO, Ms Mandlakazi Skefile says, “It is vital that NMBT supports and collaborates with private sector in order to provide value product offerings for locals and visitors to the destination.” One such product offering is Fairview Racecourse who has recently undergone major upgrades in order to improve on the service offering.

NMBT, in collaboration with Fairview Racecourse will be showcasing these upgrades to media and special guests on Friday, 29 November 2013. [Editor: this is a nice way of saying; “If you didn’t crack the nod as did I, then sorry for you peasant!”]

The upgrades to Fairview include:

  • The existing HB Christian Room has been extended and is now vastly bigger than before. Modern and stylish, it is now suitable for premier horseracing events and very upmarket weddings and corporate events.
  • A completely open plan bar was built in the middle of the HB Christian Room and makes the bar definitely worth a visit.
  • A new smoking room was built on the top floor of the venue
  • A new office for the commentator was added
  • A new office for the photo finish staff has been built
  • A brand new tote area has been built inside the venue
  • The kitchen has been upgraded and modernised
  •  The old furniture has been replaced or upgraded
  • All toilet facilities in the room have been upgraded

The highlight of these upgrades is most definitely the Polytrack. This all-weather surface track is 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 horseracing purposes. Luciano Passerini, General Manager of Phumelela Gaming & Leisure says the following: I am very excited about the Polytrack as it introduced a totally new approach in a way races are run as the surface is a lot faster and more horse-friendly.

In order to make this attraction and many others accessible to visitors Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism offers the NMB pass Card. The Nelson Mandela Bay Pass Card affords patrons free and discounted entry to a variety of attractions and activities around the city. For example, when visiting Fairview Racecourse with NMB Pass card, the holder receives a free race card, drink and a R50.00 entertainment voucher.

The following two tabs change content below.
My Twitter profileMy Facebook profileMy Google+ profileMy LinkedIn profileMy Flickr profileMy Pinterest profile

Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.