THE upgrade of NMIT Ararat Park, which will see the construction of a 100-seat function room, is on track for completion by the end of the year.
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The Ararat Turf Club social rooms and administration office was demolished during the racing off-season to make way for the new facility, with construction to take place in the coming months.
The new building will offer an enhanced race day experience with prime viewing of horses in the mounting yard and the winning post.
Victorian Premier and Minister for Racing, Denis Napthine announced funding for the project in July 2013, with the Victorian Coalition Government providing $150,000, the Ararat Turf Club $100,000 and Country Racing Victoria chipping in $50,000.
Ararat Turf Club manager Adam Atchison said the club sought additional funding after the tender process returned a higher price than the $300,000 estimated.
Mr Atchison said after gaining approval for extra funds the project was ready to move ahead.
"We did the demolition over the off season and prepared the site ready for the slab," he said.
"The slab should be poured before the next race meeting and then construction on the new building should be complete by about Christmas-New Year.
"MacNeil group from Ballarat are the construction company in charge of the build and they will be using local suppliers wherever possible."
While the new facility won't be ready for use by NMIT Ararat Gold Cup Day the turf club's marquee meeting Mr Atchison said no race meeting would be affected by the construction work.
The 2014/15 racing season kicked off at NMIT Ararat Park last Friday with an entertaining eight card meeting.
Popular trainer Peter Moody got off to the best start with four-year-old mare Classy Ruby saluting in race one.
Fellow city trainer Robert Smerdon then continued the winning trend for the Caulfield-based horses, with Ungrateful Ellen first past the post in the second event of the day.
Darren Weir, reigning Victorian Trainers Champion title holder, got in on the action with victory in the following race with gelding Kungsleden, while Smerdon made it a double for his stable when Barcode took honours in race four.
Moody also claimed a double with Bazzabeel in race five and Stawell trainer Terry O'Sullivan scored a win in the last race of the day with his runner Melaleuca.
Jockey Jack Hill had seven mounts for the day, with victories in race four and eight.
With no traditional Mooney Valley Friday night racing held, the Ararat meeting was the only Victoria event for the day, which Mr Atchison said helped attract a good crowd and fields.
"Because of no Mooney Valley racing we ended up with two $30,000 showcase races as well as the super vobis schemes, which is the breeding bonus Racing Victoria and VicBreeders have put on," he said.
"That meant we had maidens running around for $26,500 in two races as well.
"Compared to a normal mid-week meeting where all eight races would be worth $15,000 it helped attracted a higher quality of horses and a lot of extra people came too.
"We had a fair few syndicates from the city that came up with their runners which were chasing the breeding bonuses, so we probably got about 100 more than what we would on a normal mid-week."
The next meeting at the Ararat Turf Club will be on Tuesday, October 14 followed by the Gold Cup Day on Sunday, November 9.
Mr Atchison said Cup Day packages are now available by visiting www.countryracing.com.au/nmit-ararat-gold-cup or contact Ararat Turf Club events coordinator Pepita Atchison on 0448 983 248.
