WARRNAMBOOL Racing Club operations and marketing manager Ashlee Scott has been elevated to the interim CEO job and in doing so has taken over as project manager of the $4.9 million grandstand development while the club searches for a new CEO to replace Peter Downs.
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Downs leaves his job of nearly four years at Warrnambool on August 22 before taking up the role as general manager for racing at the Moonee Valley Racing Club.
Scott, who was instrumental in assisting to get a $1.25 million grant for the project from the federal government, said she was comfortable with overseeing the major development, which is the biggest infrastructure investment at the club in the last 20 years.
"It's really exciting to be working so closely on the redevelopment of the grandstand," she said.
"I've been involved with the job since the funding stage. It's a massive job the club has undertaken but it should be a big bonus for the club, members, sponsors and the community once the works are completed.
"We had a few issues early on regarding underground utilities but that is all behind us now. The concrete has been poured for the lift and the steel works should commence shortly and then the pre-cast concrete panels should be put in place."
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The project links the Matilda Room to the members grandstand and Scott is aware of the tight timelines going forward to the Warrnambool May Racing Carnival next year.
"The builders are doing a great job," she said. "They are putting in long hours to ensure the project is finished on time. We've pencilled in that it should be finished in early April."
The new facility will see a bigger dining area in the Matilda room, a ground floor cafeteria and a presentation bar built behind the existing mounting yard it also includes upgrades to kitchen, bar, viewing deck and other amenities.
The club will use temporary facilities for members and the public at its Port Fairy, Woodford and Koroit Cup days in December and January plus the Jericho Cup meeting in December.
The club is stumping up the majority of the cash for the project through reserves and borrowings after the early estimates of $3.6 million rose to $4.9 million.
The federal government granted $1.25 million, Racing Victoria and the state government $300,000 each towards the project.
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