IMPROVEMENTS AT ALEXANDRA PARK.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XX, Issue 1122, 12 October 1911, Page 6

IMPROVEMENTS AT ALEXANDRA PARK.

Popularity of Trotting. The enterprise and energy the Auckland Trotting Club has shown during the last few years has been amply rewarded by the generous way in which the public have patronised the sport of light-harness racing. Doubtless it was in recognition of the appreciation shown by the general public for their earnest endeavours to provide clean sport that urged the stewards of the A.T.C. to take the courageous step of buying Alexandra Park for the purpose of transforming it into a thoroughly up-to-date course, worthy of the sport that promises to become one of our national pastimes. A Plucky Forward Policy. The responsibilities that the A.T.C. stewards shouldered were very considerable and naturally were not embarked on until the enterprise had been carefully reduced to a financially sound undertaking. Once, however, the purchase was decided on and the title secured the stewards immediately set about re-forming the old track, re-modelling the enclosures and erecting new appointments. In a remarkably short space of time the transformation has been carried out, and the success of the formidable undertaking can only be appreciated by those who knew Potter’s Paddock six months ago and have revisited it again during the last couple of weeks. A Big Undertaking. Something like £4OOO has been expended in the last few months, and every penny of that sum has been most judicially laid out in the improvements that now go to make Alexandra Park easily one of the finest trotting courses in Australasia. It would be impossible in the limited space available to detail the extent of the work that has been carried out; but some slight idea may be gathered from the page of illustrations (see page 14) appearing in this issue. One of the most important undertakings was the laying down of an * tirely new track. Many thousand yards of earth had to be excavated to fill in dips and hollows. The result, however, of this work is a great triumph, because the present tvy-’-now unquestionably one of the' finest in the Dominion. Some Fine New Buildings. A new stewards’ stand has been erected, which adds very consider? ’■ to the appearance of the course. It is very conveniently situated, and provides ample accommodation for stewards, pressmen and officials. In a much improved saddling paddock there is a row of twelve well-fitted loose boxes, an ambulance ward and riders’ and drivers’ rooms, a police office and conveniences. Both the grandstand and public enclosures are provided with commodious totalisator houses, which will afford every facility for patrons to invest their money and receive their dividends. What Ladies will Appreciate. The change that has been effected likely to appeal most to the general public—especially the fair sex —is the spacious green lawns in front of the grandstand and all along the outside enclosure. There are many other improvements that all go to make the new Alexandra Park an attractive rendezvous for all lovers of sport, and doubtless the attendance at the spring meeting on the A.T.C. course next week will be a record one for the enterprising club.