Camatic showcases its new Axiom seat at The Curragh racecourse

Camatic recently had the honour of showcasing its new Axiom seat at one of the world’s great racing venues, fit for both royalty and the average punter, Irish racing’s new €80m flagship facility at The Curragh racecourse.

The challenge was clear. A grand plan to remake Ireland’s historic home of thoroughbred horse racing, The Curragh, into one of the world’s great racing venues, fit for both royalty and the average punter. This was the vision of the Aga Khan, racing royalty and one of the world’s richest philanthropists, and Camatic Seating would be crucial to the project.

With deep connections to Ireland’s spiritual home of racing, the Aga Khan urged racing authorities and the government to undertake a redevelopment that would make the ageing Curragh facilities:

The most forward-looking response to the needs of modern racing.

Central to the plan was a grandstand with two striking new features: a stunning 7,000-square metre cantilevered roof, and arena seating giving racegoers thrillingly close, unobstructed and comfortable vantage to action on the turf where horses have raced for time immemorial. This is where Camatic came in. The company expressed serious interest at a very early stage of the project and developed relationships by travelling to Ireland to showcase its new Axiom seating system and give assurances on delivery and installation.

Plans called for maintenance-free stadium seating with a modern aesthetic and compact design yet no compromises on VIP comfort. While the sweeping grandstand roof offers some protection for the terraces, seating had to be both waterproof and with excellent UV resistance. Camatic’s padded version of the Axiom, upholstered in light grey, marine-grade vinyl, fitted the bill perfectly.

Work on The Curragh redevelopment began in 2017 and by January 2019 the Camatic team was on site, dealing with challenges posed by the Irish winter, roofing work and ongoing race meetings. By the following month, Camatic had installed almost 1,400 seats in plenty of time for the grand re-opening in May when the Age Khan officially welcomed punters to the grandstand that carries his name and Camatic’s top-quality Axiom model.

Off at the races 

An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar officially opened The Curragh’s magnificent facilities back in May. The centrepiece of the redeveloped racecourse is the Aga Khan Stand, which can cater for up to 6,000 people over four levels.

As well as the stand, the two-year project has yielded refurbished stable yards and a parade ring, as well as bespoke facilities including conference capabilities and restaurants. The gallops, which are located across the Curragh plains, have been upgraded too.

The historic Queen’s Room, which was relocated as a standalone feature and reassembled block by block from the old stand, now overlooks the large parade ring.

Despite having only been completed a number of months, the project, delivered by main contractor John Sisk & Son and designed by Newenham Mulligan & Associates (NMA Architects), The Curragh racecourse has already secured a number of plaudits, including the BIM Initiative of the Year Award at the ICI Awards 2019.

Learn more about Camatic Seating, their latest products, developments and projects at next month’s ALSD International event, being held at Croke Park Stadium, October 28-29, where you can find them on exhibition stand #31.

Hear all about this and other Camatic Seating projects at ALSD International – Europe’s one and only event dedicated to the Premium Seat & Hospitality sector – taking place at Croke Park Stadium October 28-29. Some 50+ high-calibre experts from across Europe and North America, including Roy Westwood of Forward Associates, who was involved on both The Curragh and Tottenham Hotspur’s new stadium projects, will be providing insights on how to increase revenues through new builds, renovations and service expansions, as well as via the latest F&B and technology offerings.

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