After delivering its first big jumps meeting of the season on Saturday with the Betfair Tingle Creek, Sandown Racecourse are now set to upgrade their facilities, after the owner of the Jockey Club revealed plans that would see the Hotel and Grandstand get some TLC.
With the redevelopment being pushed forward fairly sharpish there will be a meeting/public exhibition held on Saturday to make aware to people who live or work in the local area to the track what is happening as they are set to enter a planning application for the work that is set to take place.Some areas of the site will see houses being built which will help to the overall money side of things.
(Credit At The Races) Phil White, Regional director of the London Region of the Jockey Club Racecourses explained: “Sandown Park is one of Britain’s favourite racecourses and the fastest to reach from London.
“We’re really proud to be a significant visitor attraction, employer and business destination in Esher and for the Borough of Elmbridge, making an important social, economic and cultural contribution.
“However, much of Sandown Park’s infrastructure is ageing so we’re keen to undertake an investment and upgrade programme on the site over the next few years with benefits for the racing industry and our local community. The proposed plans have been designed to achieve this.”
The overall development of the racecourse will revolve around creating a 150 room hotel at the end of the track that is furthest away from the finishing post. Work on the Grandstand is another key variable which will see it be refurbished and get a needed update to it, alongside this the Stabling and staff facilities will also be updated along with the actually race track itself.
Indoor and Outdoor playing areas will be created for younger race goers to enjoy with a new child's cycling track an idea to be put in the centre of the course that will be open to the public all year round. A family Coffee Zone is also set to e created.
To be able to fund this new Sandown racecourse JCR are planning on creating “five small, discrete pockets of residential development” around the edges of Sandown on previously developed land which will be around opposite buildings.
(Credit At The Races) Clerk of the Course Andrew Cooper said: “Sandown Park is one of the best viewing racecourses in the country because of its natural amphitheatre and we are very proud of the look and feel of the course.
“The proposals include improvements to benefit horses, racing staff, owners, trainers, jockeys and racegoers. They include track widening measures to increase the amount of racing surface, new stables, new stable staff accommodation on site and a new pre-parade ring and saddling boxes.
“As the only racecourse in the country to hold two Grade One, two-mile chases – the Betfair Tingle Creek Chase and bet365 Celebration Chase – support for these proposals would provide a big boost to the long-term success of Sandown Park for racing and the local community.”