Raceways New Grandstand

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30286, 12 November 1963, Page 18

Raceways New Grandstand

A new public grandstand which will accommodate up to 6000 people is combined with renovations and extensions to all amenities to give the Addington Raceway facilities for night trotting equal to those of any other course in the Southern Hemisphere. The focal point of these facilities is, of course, the new £225,000 stand and the amenities which it contains. This Stand replaces the public stand which was destroyed by fire in November, 1961.

Up-to-date construction methods are very much to the fore in the building of this stand. A considerable amount of pre-cast concrete has been used, including 114 plats for the mezzanine floor section. The stand has seating for 4200, and is expected to hold up to 6000 with persons standing.

; The ground floor area is j 350 ft by 76ft. The ameni- ‘ ties on this floor include a ' public bar, with three island ; bars, a large pie bar, an ! under-cover totalisator with 32 windows, and a completely free access-way under the stand from the mound facing the track to the rear of the building. Amenities on the mezzanine floor, which is 350 ft by 46ft, include a cafeteria 152 ft long by 44ft wide, and a large betting concourse

containing 14 windows and an owners’ and trainers’ bar and snack bar. Closed circuit television is used to display dividends throughout the new stand as dividend indicators will not be visible to patrons in it

When the weather is suitable, folding doors will be opened on the western and northern corner of the ground floor. A feature of this stand is easy access and egress for patrons, and numerous cross-overs and stairways have been incorporated.

Incorporated with the building of the new stand has been a general modernisation of other facilities at the Raceway. The horse stalls and parade ring have been resited. A total of 123 stalls have been constructed from concrete blocks, including 27 open stalls, with a wash in the front row which will be suitable for training.

There are 26 stalls divided by a wash in the second row, 20 ordinary stalls, a wash and eight night stalls in the third row, and 26 ordinary stalls and 16 night stalls in the back row. The night stalls are larger than usual and are quite suitable for use by trainers wishing to leave horses there overnight. The stalls, which are to the south of the members’ carpark, are surrounded by a high fence, behind which no members of the public will have access. The parade ring is sited between these stalls and the

entrance and the members’ car park. The horses enter the chute at the straight entrance. The cafeteria for attendants, two sand rolls, the clinic, and buildings from which saddle cloths and white coats for attendants are issued, are in the stall area. An unusual feature of the new stand is the ease with which patrons can regain their places. It is designed so that they can use the amenities for betting or eating between races and still be assured of being able to regain their seats by moving on to the mound from the front instead of having to walk the full length to the back.