New racecourse grandstand plans near the post

CORK Racecourse is finalising proposals for a new €5 million stand on the course with work to be completed during the 2007/2008 season.

The 1,400 square metre grandstand/pavilion will be spread over two 700 square-metre storeys on the east side of the existing main stand.

It will look southerly across the race track and will replace an existing stand in that location.

The development is being put in place by a number of organisations including Cork Racecourse and Horse Racing Ireland who yesterday placed an advertisement for parties interested in tendering for its construction.

The ground floor of the new development will offer a variety of services including a betting shop, tote shop and bar and food outlets.

The first floor will be a function room/bar overlooking the track.

According to the tender notice for contractors the course operators want to take advantage of the longer gaps between racing early in the year for the development work.

Cork Racecourse hosts 19 National Hunt and flat-racing meetings a year as well as a number of other non-horse racing events.