Flemington’s Club Stand ready to open for Spring Racing Carnival

FLEMINGTON’S new Club Stand is due to open this year, with the Victoria Racing Club revealing a limited offer to fast-track full memberships in an effort to share the stunning $128 million grandstand. Here’s how you can become an instant member.

A STUNNING new grandstand at Flemington will seat more than 10,000 people and host food, fashion and sporting events.

The new world-class $128 million Club Stand has been completed on time and on budget. Punters will get to see inside it at this year’s Spring Racing Carnival.

PLANS TO TRANSFORM FLEMINGTON AHEAD OF SCHEDULE

FLEMINGTON’S ‘GAME-CHANGING’ NEW GRANDSTAND

ROOF GARDEN PART OF $128M VRC STAND REVAMP

Victoria Racing Club Ambassador Georgia Connolly and Blowfly proudly show off the new world-class $128 million Club Stand at Flemington. Picture: Ian Currie

VRC chairman Amanda Elliott said the club planned to lure visitors to the facility year-round instead of just race days, with food and wine, footy and fashion functions.

“The VRC has always made confident and bold decisions … and this is another wonderful example of the VRC looking to the future,’’ she said.

“It’s a big change in the way a race-day experience is enjoyed year-round.

“This is not just about celebrating Cup week — it’s about celebrating Flemington for the whole year, it’s a lifestyle change.’’

The Club Stand’s capacity far exceeds that of the old members’ grandstand, built in 1924, which held 4500.

The 30m-high, 101m-wide Club Stand took 624 days to build.

It will be fully operational for Derby Day, and sections of the stand will open for Sofitel Girls Day and the Turnbull Stakes.

There is more good news from Flemington — full VRC memberships will be fast-tracked, allowing punters to skip the queue by up to five years.

The VRC has decided to offer full membership with no restricted waiting period for 100 days and has already received 10 times more applications from people wanting to access the new stand.

“We’ve never done this before but it’s just an opportunity to celebrate a big game changer for us,’’ Ms Elliott said.

“Because the capacity of the stand will be greater than what it was it means we can share it with more people.

“This is a generational change.’’

Coburg racegoer John Fuhr, who has been going to Flemington for 20 years, is one of the first people to instantly become a full VRC member.

“When I saw that they were waiving the waiting period I thought I would jump at the chance,’’ he said.

Construction work taking place on the new Flemington stand in 2017.

Jockey Dean Yendall rides Bondeiger past the new Club stand at Flemington on July 21. Picture: AAP/George Salpigtidis

The new stand features 680 facade glass panels, 135 glass doors and sweeping views across the CBD, mounting yard, betting ring and winning post.

Ms Elliott said it was “a great asset for Melbourne’’ and would add another dimension to Flemington’s global appeal.

It will be fully operational for Derby Day and sections of the stand will open for Sofitel Girls Day and the Turnbull Stakes.

Fine dining, regional food and wine events will be staged to maximise the stand’s use, with function spaces available for hire and footy shown on big screens in front of open fires.

Racing Minister Martin Pakula said the “world-class” stand kept Melbourne at the forefront of sport.

“The construction of the stand created hundreds of new jobs and once completed will ensure Victoria remains the top racing destination in the country,’’ he said.

The once-off VRC full membership invitation will close on September 6. Details: flemington.com.au/club-membership/vrc-membership

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