General News
25 June, 2025
Trackside Bistro brings a ‘wow’ factor to Stawell
THE extensive refurbishment of Stawell Harness Racing Club’s Trackside Bistro is almost complete.
The club has invested heavily in the refreshed venue and visitors will see a lot of improvements when they next walk through the door.
General Manager Dan Jones showed the Stawell Times-News through the venue this week.
“It all stated in July last year when we commenced stage one. We removed the old TAB facility, extended the gaming room around the corner and put in new toilets and office spaces.
“Stage two is due to be handed over any day now which includes a new sports bar, a café area with barista made coffee seven days a week and a flash new turbo oven to provide hot snacks when the kitchen is closed.
“It means we can also offer lunch seven days a week because we’re currenly only open Thursday for Sunday for lunch.
Mr Jones said local resident Joseph Nelthorp has also recently been appointed as the café and bistro manager.
“He’s working very closely with committee member Chris Waack developing a new menu.
Mr Jones believes locals will embrace the inviting, revamped venue.
“Just the sports bar alone which the town hasn’t had. There’s seven TV’s behind me, it will be a great atmosphere and space for the town.
“If people haven’t been in lately, they’ll get quite a shock. It has changed a lot,” he said.
“We’re offering a space where people can come and sit and socialise with other people which is separate to the bistro.
The Stawell Times-News asked how much the renovations cost.
“A lot,” Mr Jones said.
It has been a significant investment. All that has been done in the past is some new carpets and the venue opened in 1996 so this is significant.”
Club Manager Mark Percival said he was delighted with the outcome.
“The space that has been created is an imaginative take on what you can do with a venue. They needed to reclaim what was essentially a lot of dead space, moving the offices onto the outside has helped and a staff room and the old TAB, it has reclaimed a whole lot of space and now that can be used,” he said.
Mr Jones said staff were looking forward to working at the upgraded venue.
“They’re really excited. They can’t wait to get behind that bar,” he said.
The club is waiting for signoff from a building surveyor before opening fully to the public.
A grand reopening morning tea has been scheduled for Monday.
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