Melbourne Cup 2016: Flemington to get new members stand

FLEMINGTON’S historic members grandstand will be demolished and replaced with a new state-of-the-art facility.

THE end of this year’s Flemington carnival will see the end of an era with the 92-year-old Members grandstand to be demolished and replaced by the $128 million “Club Stand”.

Aided by $10 million from the state government the Victoria Racing Club will make the modern 10th addition to the course which will be ready in time for the 2018 Melbourne Cup carnival.

It’s part of a $135 million upgrade to the Flemington layout, with the 20-month build set to limit capacity for next year’s carnival.

“The new grandstand will help us to celebrate the history and character of this wonderful racecourse for generations to come,” VRC chairman Michael Burn said on Monday.

The old stand.

An artist’s impression of the new $128 million grandstand, which will have five levels including a rooftop garden.

The iconic wooden bench seats and much of the built-in artworks and fixings within the stand are set to re-purposed in the new building or sold as memorabilia.

“Things like handles, door handles which he think have some historical significance,” Mr Burn said.

Two weeks of celebration events are also planned to ensure the members who have witnessed many of Flemington’s magic moments in the stand, from Phar Lap’s two Melbourne Cup wins in 1930 and 1931 to Makybe Dive’s three-peat, can say a proper goodbye.

Further plans to build apartments on land around the track owned by the VRC are still being developed.

Racing Minister Martin Pakula and VRC chairman Michael Burn announce the redevelopment of the old members stand at Flemington. Picture: Getty Images

Victorian Sports Minister Martin Pakula conceded it was unusual for the state government to commit funds to such a project but said the benefits to the economy were obvious.

“It’s not always the case that the government would support a project of this nature but the fact is that there are 350 jobs to be created and $400 million of economic activity as a result of the spring carnival alone,” Mr Pakula said.

“And on that basis the giverment is absioluitelty delighted to be able to make what is a small but important contribution to this development.

Demolition of the Members stand will begin after the final day of the Flemington carnival, on Saturday November 5.

The build is expected to take almost two years and be completed in time for the 2018 Melbourne Cup carnival.

Originally published as Melbourne Cup 2016: Flemington to get new members stand