The Racing Association has a particular vision and that is to change, restructure and reinvent within the Racing Industry.
The establishment of a new Operator in the Gauteng region raises an opportunity for a fresh start and to develop the sport of Racing further through more exposure to a larger, more diverse audience and through increased entertainment value.
This renewed interest in the sport will grow the number of participants and ultimately the return back into Racing.
The RA Board has invested in a preliminary design and budget assessment for the redevelopment of Randjesfontein into a fully functional racecourse.
Randjesfontein Training Centre is strategically located in the heart of Gauteng and opens up the populated northern area of the region.
The property is close to a major motorway and to Gautrain access.
The zoning allows for full racecourse development and the multipurpose usage of related assets on the property. It is secure and embedded within the Randjesfontein Estate.
The development proposal has been prepared by a selected professional consultant team headed up by our project development manager, Ms Judith Smith. The team includes an architect, quantity surveyor, civil and structural engineers, electrical experts, track design experts and digital product specialists.
The key design and development requirements include getting people closer to the horses, to synthesize the drama of the Sport of Horseracing with the suburbanite’s desire for outdoor living and to leave a light footprint.
The design calls for the use of containerised and prefab solutions integrated into a landscaped and pedestrianised multifunctional precinct. A state-of-the-art digital product is to be integrated into the design and the aim is to be carbon neutral.
The provisional racecourse budget including the building costs, track upgrades, development costs and professional fees amount to approximately R 87 Million.
The timelines, on the assumption that the existing design team continue to work on the project, is approximately 9 months and this includes the track widening and grass establishment, the importation and installation of the running rails and starting stalls, general construction, fitout and commissioning.
The RA does not consider itself to be in the business of property ownership or development and we have produced this preliminary design concept and budget with the intention of finding an investor in order to bring the vision to life or to buy the property as a whole. The sale of the property will be conditional and must be in line with the long-term objective and protection of horseracing.
