Big line-up: Racing and markets to light up Callaghan Park Coome Racing take out first and second place in Race One at Callaghan Park on December 18.
Horses Tony McMahon
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The ever-changing roles of racecourses to diversify and open other revenue streams apart from just race meetings comes into play at Callaghan Park, Rockhampton this weekend.
Callaghan Park in recent years has become an integral venue for community events ranging from boat shows, conventions and parties of all sorts as well as hosting aspects of the Rockhampton Show.
With no disrespect intended, it has also played host to the “Matches and Dispatches” – more plainly known as the celebrations of weddings and funerals.
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Hairdresser Sally Johnson says relocating from the Kern Arcade has her “out of pocket to the tune of $50,000”.
The owner of Downtown Diva has decided to open a home salon at Gracemere after it was revealed the arcade would close at the end of January.
The Cooper family, who owns the arcade, has since announced it would be put on the market early this year.
Ms Johnson has operated there for about five years.
“When you don’t know what’s going on, you’re not going to put your family’s livelihood on the line for it to all fall apart,” she said.
Mr Scoffin said it had been a frantic couple of weeks trying to find a suitable location but he was happy with the outcome. With the move, he also plans to rebrand as CQ Clocks and Watches to save any confusion with Scoffins Clocks and Watches at Yeppoon, which is run by his parents. Rowan Scoffin is relocating his business, Scoffins Clocks and Watches, from Kern Arcade to Northside Plaza Shopping Centre. Mr Scoffin had investigated the possibility of moving into East St but said rent was too expensive. He received the contracts for the new shop this week but said it could be six weeks before he was up and running at Northside Plaza.
She said she had been overwhelmed with the response from stallholders, existing and new.
“It’s been absolutely wonderful,” she said.
“All the stallholders are following me over and there are lots of new ones interested in coming as well.
“We will have well over 100 stalls on Sunday.
“Everyone is so happy to get back, and they’re excited about the new venue.”
There would also be amusement rides and horse and carriage rides, as well as a variety of food vans.
Ms McMullen said Callaghan Park was looking “picturesque”, and there was plenty of parking.
While it had been a lot of hard work getting everything in place, she was confident it would be well worth it.
UPDATE 3.30PM: The Kern Arcade Markets have been rebranded as the Rocky Racecourse Markets.
The first of them will be held on Sunday, January 24, at the new venue - Callaghan Park racecourse.
Markets co-ordinator Madonna McMullen said it was âa big reliefâ to find a suitable venue for the weekly markets which, on average, attracted between 80 to 100 stallholders.
She let stallholders know about the new venue on Wednesday and said they were all âvery supportive and very excitedâ.
INITIAL: A new venue has been found for Rockhamptonâs Kern Arcade Markets.
Co-ordinator Madonna McMullen announced on Thursday morning that they would be relocated to Callaghan Park racecourse.