Wetherby Racecourse Chief Executive & Clerk of the Course, Jonjo Sanderson, hasn’t ‘lost it’ he’s just giving a helping hand to create a new stand as part of the £3.2 million redevelopment project which will establish Wetherby Racecourse as one of the premier sporting, leisure and business facilities in Yorkshire.
The demolition of the Old Members’ Stand is taking place to make way for the new, modern grandstand, Wetherby’s Chief Executive & Clerk of the Course, Jonjo Sanderson, said “We are delighted that we have been able to commence work on this exciting new grandstand. Undoubtedly, it is going to be a great addition to the existing Racecourse facilities. It is the beginning of another new chapter in the long history of Wetherby Racecourse being located at this site, which first saw racing here in 1891. This major investment will allow us to provide a modern, state of the art facility to rival most other venues in this part of the county, which, as well as creating an exceptional experience for our regular racegoers, will also create a wonderful facility for non-raceday events including conferences, exhibitions, banquets and weddings.”
Amongst the facilities being created in the new building is a spacious public bar on the ground floor with a new betting shop, two public bar counters and more refreshment outlets. The first floor will provide an exclusive facility for Owners and Trainers with balcony viewing of both the parade ring to the south and the final furlong and winning post to the north, as well as extensive panoramic views of the whole course.
The second floor will be a premium facility for Premier Enclosure racegoers, providing unrivalled viewing of the whole racecourse, as well as overlooking the finishing line, and it is hoped will be one of the best public sporting facilities within the region. A new stewards’ room will also be accommodated on this floor.
The top floor will provide essential accommodation for race meeting integrity services including the judge, the photo-finish facility, the side-on television camera positions and the racecourse commentator.
Throughout the redevelopment works the racecourse will continue to stage its usual racing programme so it will be ‘business as usual’.
After a competitive tender process, Lindum has been appointed as the main construction contractor. With a permanent base in York, as well as offices in Lincoln and Peterborough, Lindum has extensive experience and proven track record within the leisure industry and, in particular, has recently successfully completed a major redevelopment project at another premier racecourse. Jonathan Sizer, Managing Director for Lindum’s York division, said “We are delighted to have been awarded this prestigious job and look forward to helping to create this fantastic new facility at Wetherby Racecourse. We understand the importance of balancing the construction requirements with that of a busy, and very popular, racecourse. We will be working hard to ensure minimal disruption throughout the redevelopment works as the race programme continues as usual.”
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