Gates unchained as community welcomed 'home' to Paeroa's old racecourse

Friday, 6 November 2020

With a snip of bolt cutters, a new breath of life was sent into the 33 hectare, former Paeroa racecourse, site on Thursday.

Cutting the chain on the gates of Paeroa's former racecourse was the catalyst which sent the unused piece of land back into the hands of the community.

With a snip of bolt cutters, a new breath of life was sent into the 33 hectare site, as talks of twilight markets, supermarkets, and restaurants filled stables that were once graced by New Zealand’s most famous gallopers.

The Paeroa Racing Club's final meet was held in 2012, and in recent years, the site along Thames Rd has been closed to the public.

Cutting the chain symbolised its return to the residents, one of the new owners, Chloe Wright, said to guests on Thursday.

(From left): Wayne Wright II, Basil Morrison, Chloe and Wayne Wright, Alexandra Wright, mayor Toby Adams, and developer Tim Bartells at the Paeroa Racecourse.

* Volunteers preparing Stratford's racecourse for possibly its last meeting

The club was established during the goldrush days, and in the early post-World War II years it was rated as one of New Zealandâs most successful country clubs.

* Plans lodged to transform Paeroa racecourse parking into a residential estate

“Our family is all about community. We don’t believe in gates. I think that the ceremony today, cutting the chains, really does signal that this is your land, this is your community.

The Paeroa Racing Club's final meet was held in 2012, and in recent years, the site has been closed to the public (file photo).

“This needs to be a hub for the people,” she said.

As of Tuesday, the former racecourse was officially purchased by a joint venture company, partly owned by Wright Family Foundation founders Wayne and Chloe Wright, and local developer Tim Bartells, who co-owns Paeroa’s new Longridge Country Estate retirement village.

The announcement was attended by community leaders, former Hauraki mayor Basil Morrison, elected members, and current mayor Toby Adams, who pledged his commitment to the project.

“There’s a buzz around town … and I give you my 100 per cent commitment that I’ll be supportive throughout this process.

“There will be some challenges, but I’m ready to take on that battle for you, because I know what it means to have this coming forward for our community,” he said.

The racing club was established during the goldrush days, and in the early post-World War II years it was rated as one of New Zealand’s most successful country clubs.

It struggled financially for many years before the club returned the racecourse to its owners at the end of the racing season on July 31, 2012.

And while it is still early days, with a change in zoning and required consents to be obtained, event organisers have already pitched their interest to head back “home” to the racecourse.

District councillor Jo Tilsley announced the possibility of a twilight market, motorhome parking for the annual Highland Games, as well as a return to the site for Paeroa Rotary's V8 day.

There were also talks of commercial and residential development.

“The community had been so used to having access to this site, and there is a really strong connection here,” she said.