The Hanover, Bentinck & Brant Agricultural Society (HBBAS) announced this week that Domm Construction of Ayton, Ont. has been awarded the contract for the renovation of the HBBAS Carriage Hall and administrative offices at Hanover Raceway.

The tender proposal from Domm Construction was one of five bids received for the project. The contract is for complete interior renovation of the approximately 16,000 square foot space, plus updates to the exterior façade. The design will provide a multi-purpose banquet hall and conference space with a total capacity of 460 persons, together with a state of the art kitchen. The hall can be separated into three smaller spaces to accommodate events or meetings of any size. The administrative offices will provide a reception area, dedicated office space for staff and boardroom.

Construction began on Jan. 8, 2025 and is expected to take approximately 32 weeks.

The HBBAS is very excited to be moving ahead with this project. Plans for use of the space have been underway since 2019, when Gateway Casinos relocated its operations to its current location in the east end of the building. Progress was slowed by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the planning process. However, the Board was able to move forward with Strategic Planning in 2022, which confirmed the desire to complete the renovation and to operate the facility as a conference centre and meeting space.

A Hall Committee was struck in March of 2023 to proceed with the project, chaired by Directors Natasha Chalmers and Dean Leifso. Nelson Dawley Engineering of Hanover, Ont. was contracted to complete the engineering and architectural drawings, with the assistance of John Rutledge Architect and McLellan Vitella Engineering.    

HBBAS President Adam Chalmers is thankful for the work of the committee and the progress to date.

“We are excited to see the project move forward. It has been a long time coming, and the community will benefit from having an event facility available in the Town of Hanover,” said Chalmers.

The administrative offices will be temporarily moved to the Race Office by the barns, south of the racetrack. 

HBBAS looks forward to sharing progress on this project through its website and social media platforms, including information on future bookings and the grand opening celebration in late 2025 or early 2026.

(With files from Hanover, Bentinck & Brant Agricultural Society)