Western Cape Racing – developments….
Kenilworth Racing Chairman, Chris van Niekerk and board director, Hassen Adams outlined visionary plans for the Western Cape at a function staged on Saturday evening at Kenilworth racecourse.
Van Niekerk stated that the two primary objectives of the Thoroughbred Horse Racing Trust, which owns Kenilworth Racing, are to enhance the racing experience and ensure that Western Cape racing has a financially sustainable future in perpetuity. Whilst the situation has improved over the last two years, more is needed to complete the financial turn-around. Adams, then conducted a presentation which detailed how they intend to extract true value from their properties, and transform the local racing scene through exciting redevelopments.
“We don’t want to sell off the silver and cash in. People then all want a slice and it does not last. Instead, we want to generate annuity income from our properties and upgrade our racing facilities with the support of the City and Province. That way we can create something far greater than the sum of the parts.” Adams explained.
This massive process of renewal will take the form of a land swap inside the existing Milnerton training facility and simultaneously converting a separate portion into a highly desirable residential and commercial area. The land swap with the City of Cape Town will result in the lifting of the reversionary clause over the bulk of Durbanville racecourse and from this the industry will derive maximum benefit for racing and the future potential of commercial and residential developments at the country facility. This has all been approved by the board, has buy in from both the City and Province, though some rezoning applications must still be processed. Progress has been remarkably swift, and what usually has a time lag of up to a decade, may be concluded in just over two years.
The deal will unlock enormous value, enabling significant upgrades to the Milnerton training centre, with Durbanville and Kenilworth tracks also benefitting. Western Cape Racing is operated and managed by JSE Listed Company, Phumelela Gaming and Leisure.
Modelled on the hugely successful enviro-park at Green Point, a similar “green-lung” attraction will be created by the City within Durbanville racecourse. Other planned developments are a lifestyle centre, amphitheatre and a country village – type shopping complex, together with residential units. The existing Durbanville track has been subjected to plenty of criticism by horseman and punters with field sizes and betting turnovers suffering as a result. The intended total makeover will see it re-aligned and properly cambered with suitable dog- legs to incorporate races over different distances. Most likely, it will be converted into a synthetic surface.
A massive overhaul of the underutilised surrounds at Kenilworth is also mooted. This will be along similar lines – multi-use, shopping, theatre, boutique hotel and high-rise residential facilities which carry immense monetary value to Western Cape racing. Adams revealed that development plans at the historic track have been submitted to Council, “For a complete new French look which will be quaint and not overbearing…”
“It is absolutely key that the City buys into us,” said Adams referring to the strengthening relationship that racing administrators are forging with local planning officials. Pivotal to the deal is the land swop inside the Milnerton training tracks. Adams is confident that the stunning views back towards the bay area and Table Mountain will see the development sell quickly off plan. The upshot of this new arrangement will be that racing’s rickety infrastructure can be dramatically overhauled. Funds can be released to overhaul the deteriorating Milnerton training complex. Adams asserted, “We must make our training facilities look first class.”
Grand visions will always meet with scepticism from wary detractors, and inevitably there are unintended consequences to such multi-layered, long- term projects. But, the Western Cape, which sports a proud tradition of high quality racing, dedicated horseman and a world class breeding industry does not deserve to languish in the doldrums. This pioneering project, as outlined by van Niekerk and Adams, is tremendously exciting. Not only could it ensure the sustainability of the sport and revive the horse racing experience for passionate participants, it may even grow the appeal of this great game to a wider audience.