There's a new 'power' in south-western Sydney . . . and it involves a lot more than just harness racing.
Club Menangle was launched at Australia's leading harness racing facility on Saturday night as the NSW Harness Racing Club took some positive steps into the future.
And while the light harness sport will always hold pride of place at Menangle, Club Menangle was introduced to attract a new demographic to the area and to the best track in the Southern Hemisphere.
In short, the NSW Harness Racing Club has a new trading name, Club Menangle and as chief executive Bruce Christison explained that while the legal entity would remain the NSW Harness Racing Club, the trading name would now be simply Club Menangle.
The racetrack itself will be known as Tabcorp Park at Club Menangle.
"While there are a number of reasons for the new trading name, the major reason was to best position the club for the future," Christison pointed out to club members and corporate partners at Saturday night's launch.
"This club is in a major growth corridor in the south-west of Sydney, with 35,000 homes currently being built between Menangle Park and Wilton.
"By creating a more inclusive brand our board believes the club will be in a better position to diversify the entertainment options and grow with the community."
The club recently appointed brand specialists, BrandMatters to lead the project with significant research including consultation with members, participants, patrons and new audiences.
Indeed one of the interesting results of the research was the perception by many outside of the industry that only those involved in harness racing were welcome at the venue and many were unaware of the varied function and hospitality offerings.
"The rebrand will also help address what has been a naming confusion with the NSW Harness Racing Club constantly being confused with Harness Racing NSW," said Christison.
"Likewise the Tabcorp naming-rights deal for the racetrack gave the mistaken impression that the venue was actually owned by Tabcorp."
Christison said if any harness racing participants were concerned the Club was moving away from its traditional business of racing, they would soon discover it was actually the opposite.
"The reason this club exists is to facilitate harness racing," he said.
"The club currently contributes more than $5.5m of its own funds to ensure NSW has the best prizemoney in harness racing.
"The club is fortunate that decisions made many years ago have presented the opportunity to diversify revenue streams in the future.
"The sale of Harold Park has given the club a pool of funds which must also be protected and only the revenue generated can be spent to meet our prizemoney commitments.
"This means our investment must be very low risk and with interest rates at an all-time low, it is very difficult to achieve the necessary results.
"As the club owns a significant amount of land in a major growth area it is imperative that we position the club to benefit both today and into the future."
Christison pointed out the most recent example was buying historic Menangle House on the corner leading to Tabcorp Park at Club Menangle.
A development application was lodged with Campbelltown Council in April to establish a registered club on the site.
Club Menangle also has plans for a hotel, residential accommodation and other entertainment options.
"Each of these business opportunities will require a business plan and the profits generated will be returned to the harness racing industry," he said.
CLUB MENANGLE CEO BRUCE CHRISTISON ON (02) 4645-2200.