Equestrian
“
It’s needed - to rest staff and to rest the ground. You can’t just go straight through
The A1 bend, showing the gentler radius which is suitable for flat racing
track for much longer than we’d have ideally liked, due to the wet conditions,” says Jonjo. 2016 will see two flat meetings, a
Chief Executive and Clerk of the Course, Jonjo Sanderson (left), with Head Groundsman Ian Ward
shortened programme to accommodate another milestone in the Yorkshire track’s history. This summer, the old Members’ Grandstand will be replaced with an imposing £3.2m new facility, linked to the modern Millennium Grandstand. “This grandstand plays a vital role hosting the judges’ tower and camera positions, so the structure will be similar,” explains Jonjo. “But we will add a new ground floor public bar in place of the betting hall and, above it, a considerably upgraded owners’ and trainers’ bar. It will be built from the top down as the top floor infrastructure is the priority, so a marquee will be located alongside the grandstands to provide interim bar facilities where necessary.” Outside of the twenty race days each year, the new grandstand will also provide additional opportunities to tap into the banqueting and weddings market, offering a more intimate venue with stunning views. One factor that Wetherby can’t control is the elements - in 2015, the valuable Christmas meeting was abandoned due to waterlogging after 60mm of rain fell on 25th December.
“The course has excellent drainage, due to both the original system and the gravel raft on which the new section is built. But the water drains into a series of dykes which eventually run under the back straight, past the neighbouring prison and eventually into the River Nidd. In addition to the rain that fell on the course on Christmas Day, water then ran down from the Yorkshire Dales behind us and compounded the problem.” Despite the impact on the bottom line for an independent racecourse - which, unlike the racecourse groups, can’t take up the slack with a successful day at a sister course - Jonjo is philosophical. “Because of the lie of the land, the buildings aren’t affected by flooding and, once the river drops, the water goes very quickly so doesn’t damage the turf. We could probably have raced on December 29th. And, in the light of how whole communities elsewhere in Yorkshire were affected, we got off very lightly.” “The weather is something that we just
have to contend with and we have lost the Christmas meeting before - usually due to frost or snow!" Head Groundsman Ian Ward - one of a trio
of groundstaff with more than 100 years service between them - has seen it all before.
The old grandstand, ready for replacement ... 92 I PC APRIL/MAY 2016
... construction starts this summer on a new grandstand, a £3.2m development offering improved hospitality and technical facilities
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