Completion of stewards’ stand project expected by May, 1989

Press, 23 July 1987, Page 40

Completion of stewards’ stand project expected by May, 1989

By

JEFF SCOTT

Mr Bob Duff, the chairman of directors of Addington Raceway, told members of the Canterbury Park Trotting Club at its annual meeting last evening that, all going well, the three-stage stewards’ stand project could be completed by May, 1989. “Hopefully the plans will be approved and we can then call for tenders towards the end of the year,” said Mr Duff. “After the Cup meeting we'll be starting on the preliminary part of what has to be done and from then on, I understand, in 'another 18 months we should have the whole thing completed in that

time,” he said. To be built adjacent to the public stand, the new stand will be completed in three stages. Initially the new building will be erected, however, Mr Duff advised financial restraints meant the whole gap would not be filled in in the opening stage. “Frankly we just haven’t got enough money to do it” said Mr Duff. The second stage will be the glassing-in of the stands, while the third stage will be to fill the remainder of the gap between the new stand and the current member’s stand.

Mr Clarrie Sprott asked

Mr Duff if there were any provisions made for trackside viewing in the new stand, which Mr Duff qualified by stating the directors’ sub-committee, who recently visited several courses in Australia and New Zealand, were most impressed with some of the more modern stands in this area. “They made provisions for various areas for betting, drinking, eating and easy access to viewing, an there will be provisions for that here,” he said. Mr Sprott then inquired what capacity the stand would have for members, with Mr Duff replying a comparable 700 seats to that being replaced in the

old stand would be included. Extension of indicator Mr Duff told members that the main purpose of the directors’ recent visit to Automatic Totalisators, Ltd, in Australia was to inquire about extending the present in-field indicator. “We wish to extend that particular indicator to incorporate what is being done manually now by the way of dividends and drivers,” said Mr Duff. “Although we can’t put a time limit on it, it could well be improved in the forseeable future," added Mr Duff.

Mr Duff stated that ATL’s indicator expert who flew to Christchurch recently to inspect the indicator, believes the indicator will be operating successfully again In the not too distant future. Other improvements in the pipeline for Addington Raceway include the upgrading of furniture in the public stand, further development of the popular sponsors’ platform on the showgrounds bend, and landscaping of Addington Raceway. "We are awaiting a report from Lincoln College which has been seconded to produce a report on the landscaping of the whole of Addington Raceway,” said Mr Duff.