Galway Racecourse redevelopment on target for summer 2018 completion

The €6m redevelopment project at Galway Racecourse is on target for completion in June 2018, in ample time for the world-renowned, 7-day, Galway Races Summer Festival, which takes place from July 30 to August 5, 2018.

The redevelopment is funded through the Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) Racecourse Capital Development scheme, with HRI providing 40% of the cost of the approved project.

Racegoers at Galway’s last meeting of 2017 in October witnessed the biggest development at the track begin to take shape since the Killanin Stand was opened in 2007.

The new two-storey building will feature a large, open plan betting hall on the ground floor, with Tote Ireland betting counters and a large betting shop. Externally, there will be 46 Tote Ireland betting windows, set back to provide weather protection to racegoers.

A modern champagne bar will provide a new level of style and comfort for Galway patrons on the first floor of the new building, which will open onto a large covered terrace balcony overlooking the parade ring, betting arena and part of the racetrack. A sizeable portion of both upstairs and downstairs will also be dedicated to new toilet facilities.

Michael Moloney, Manager of Galway Racecourse, said:

Since we finished racing last Summer, it’s been full steam ahead with this exciting new project. The plan is to have the entire project completed in June 2018 just in time for the Summer Festival.

 

It’s an all-in contract to build and fit-out the building by Monami Construction. Our new two storey building will completely transform the eastern end of the racecourse located down by the parade ring, revealing a new, fresh modern feel and vibe.

 

It’s great to see such progress here, which will bring added comfort and facilities with an enhanced customer experience in mind.

The redevelopment will vastly improve the enclosure around the parade ring and bookmakers ring. The repositioning of the new building will create much greater circulation space for racegoers, which will enhance the atmosphere and create ease of movement even on the busiest days.

Brian Kavanagh, Chief Executive of Horse Racing Ireland (HRI), also welcomed the project:

Galway Racecourse’s new development will provide an attractive focal point in the enclosure and an improved level of comfort and shelter for racegoers. Removing the existing Tote building will reconfigure a traditionally congested area around the betting ring and parade ring, opening up pedestrian access and improving the enclosure layout. Galway’s seven-day festival is our most popular festival and HRI is happy to provide grant aid for a project that will directly benefit racegoers who head West every year.

 

Each year, the Summer Festival puts Galway on the front pages and provides an extraordinary €54m boost to the local economy.

For more information, visit: www.galwayraces.com

Images, courtesy: The Galway Races

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