Hanover – January 13, 2025

DOMM CONSTRUCTION AWARDED TENDER FOR THE RENOVATION of CARRIAGE HALL & OFFICES, HANOVER RACEWAY

The Hanover, Bentinck & Brant Agricultural Society (HBBAS) is pleased to announce that Domm Construction of Ayton 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 board room.

Construction began January 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 their operations to their current location in the east end of the building. Progress was slowed by the effects of Covid 19 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 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.”

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 our website and social media platforms. Follow us for information on future bookings, and our grand opening celebration in late 2025 or early 2026.

Hanover, Bentinck & Brant Agricultural Society is Seeking New Board Members

Apply to be on our Board of Directors
Hanover, Bentinck & Brant Agricultural Society (HBBAS) is seeking individuals to join its Board of Directors. Board membership offers an outstanding opportunity for talented individuals to volunteer their expertise and time in the service of our many stakeholders. Our directors are dedicated individuals, engaged in making a positive contribution to the future of our communities.

The Hanover, Bentinck & Brant Agricultural Society has been serving our communities since 1864. We proudly present the Hanover Fair each August, and we are the owner/operator of the Hanover Raceway.

Our Mission
To support the Agricultural and Horse Racing Communities by offering programs, facilities, events and sponsorships in a financially sustainable and transparent manner.

Our Vision
To maintain H.B.B.A.S. as a financially stable, community contributor supporting harness racing and agricultural promotion including the Hanover Fair.

Organizational Chart

Ideally, applicants will reside within the catchment areas served by Hanover, Bentinck & Brant Agricultural Society, which includes the communities surrounding Hanover, West Grey, and Brockton. Prior governance experience is an asset. In addition, applicants will preferably have experience in one or more of the following areas: law, finance, human resources, and/or information technology.

Application forms are listed below. If you have any questions, please contact Doreen Schultz, at secretarytreasurer@hbbas.org or 519-889-0477. Completed applications and resumes will be accepted via mail or e-mail:

Mailing Address
Hanover, Bentinck & Brant Agricultural Society
265 5th Street
Hanover, ON
N4N 3X3
E-mail
secretarytreasurer@hbbas.org

Application Form

More Information on the HBBAS Board of Directors
HBBAS is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. The Board meets a minimum of six times per year, with various committees meeting as needed throughout the year.
Elected members (12). We are striving to develop a skills-based Board at HBBAS. In addition to our Board of Directors, we support a number of committees dedicated to the operational functions of the Society.

Ex-officio members (1)
The Board includes an appointed representative from the Town of Hanover.

Board Members:
• Must be 18 years of age
• Must hold a current membership with the Hanover, Bentinck & Brant Agricultural Society ($5.00 annual fee)
• Must fulfill a skills-based need on the Board
• Must not be a member of HBBAS staff, spouse of staff or professional staff

Process for Election:
We will advertise as needed to fill vacancies based on the skills that are required. Applicants are screened by a Committee of the Board (Executive Committee) and may be invited to join the board as an Associate Director prior to becoming a full Director as outlined in our Constitution and Bylaws.

We are currently seeking individuals interested in joining the organization as an Associate Director at our Annual Meeting in January, with the possibility of becoming a full Director after one year of service.

Learn more about HBBAS:
Website – hanoverfair.ca
Constitution
Strategic Plan 2023-2027

How can you get involved?

There are many ways to get involved with the HBBAS and the Hanover Fair.

Here are some volunteer job descriptions to help you find the right fit!

Download our Volunteer Recruitment Package below

Fair Volunteer Positions - Help out at the Fair!

There are lots of ways to help out with our Fair, from spending just a couple of hours in the Exhibit Hall or the Children’s Tent, to becoming a member of our Fair Committee and helping with the planning and preparation throughout the year.

 Fair Volunteer Organizational Chart

The following job descriptions may give you an idea of where you would like to start!

• Fair Committee Member
• Children’s Tent Attendant
• Pet Show Attendant
• Teddy Bear Picnic Assistant

• Homecraft Assistant
• Exhibit Hall Attendant

• Information Booth Attendant

• Setup/Take down volunteer (Fair Roadie)
• Site maintenance volunteer
• Fair Runner

Other Volunteer Positions

There are lots of committees at work within our organization. What committee sparks your interest?

• Ambassador Committee Member
• Raceway Committee Member
• Hall Committee Member
• Finance Committee Member
• Barn Committee Member
• Scholarship Committee Member
• Governance Committee Member

 Board of Directors - Terms of Reference

To influence the operations of our organization at the Board table, you may want to consider joining our Board of Directors. The Board meets on the Third Wednesday of each month at the Hanover Raceway.

Want to find out more about HBBAS and how you can get involved?

Speak to one of our Board Members or contact our Secretary/Treasurer. 

We’d love to have you join us!

The Board of Directors approved the Hanover, Bentinck & Brant Agricultural Society’s Strategic Plan 2023-2027 at their Regular Board Meeting on March 15, 2023.

The new strategic plan supports the direction of the Society for the next four years with seven goals, each focusing on areas specific to growth and development of the organization. Through the Strategic Planning process, with consultant Jason Kipfer of Explorer Solutions, the members also solidified the mission, vision and values of the Society.

The seven goals identified in the plan are:

1. Increasing HBBAS awareness and community presence
2. Developing clear organizational policies and procedures
3. Ensuring HBBAS financial sustainability
4. Strengthening Board and volunteer recruitment and retention
5. Completing the operational transformation of the new Hall
6. Increasing community involvement in the Fair
7. Establishing the Hanover Raceway as a destination location and experience

President of the HBBAS, Adam Chalmers, remarks, “The contributions of our members have made this plan full of meaning and purpose, and I look forward to seeing it come to life over the coming years.”

The Hanover, Bentinck & Brant Agricultural Society was established in 1864. We are a not-for-profit organization that operates the Hanover Raceway, and proudly presents the Hanover Fair in support of our mission to “support the Agricultural and Horse Racing Communities, by offering programs, facilities, events and sponsorships in a financially sustainable and transparent manner.”

The Hanover, Bentinck & Brant Agricultural Society (HBBAS) has been serving our communities since 1864. We proudly present the Hanover Fair each August, and we are the owner/operator of the Hanover Raceway.

Our Mission

To support the Agricultural and Horse Racing Communities by offering programs, facilities, events and sponsorships in a financially sustainable and transparent manner.

Our Vision

To maintain H.B.B.A.S. as a financially stable, community contributor supporting harness racing and agricultural promotion including the Hanover Fair.

Organizational Chart

Strategic Plan