Rangiora Harness Racing Club will be without the use of its main grandstand this weekend after the almost 40-year-old building was this week closed because of earthquake damage.

The building was given a clean bill of health after post quake inspections. However, a follow up engineer's survey recommended the club "would be better not to use" the building until a full investigation was completed.

Rangiora Harness Racing Club president Robin Wilson said: "[We won't know] for another couple of weeks.

"Luckily the next two meetings we have are low key days which generally don't draw the crowds of our summer meetings.

"If we are to get a good crowd in though we might be in a bit of trouble."

The club races on Sunday and then again in a fortnight.

The grandstand houses the main public bar and tearooms.

Temporary uncovered stand seating for around 150 people will be installed in front of the old stand for the meeting on Sunday.

"We can accommodate up to 250 people in our second stand, and food services and the bar will be shifted to there.

"It has meant we have had to set up extra toilets and amenities.

"We did consider the shift to Addington, but it was booked out on both our race dates and we don't consider the issue to be enough to warrant going to somewhere like Ashburton."

If deemed unsafe the stand could be out of action for up to two years which would be a major inconvenience for the Rangiora club.

Wilson said Canterbury Jockey Club who share in the ownership of the grounds and buildings with the club would be included in discussions.

- © Fairfax NZ News