Plans due for €6m redevelopment of Galway Racecourse

A planning application for a major redevelopment at Galway Racecourse will be submitted in the coming weeks.
The board of Horse Racing Ireland is to contribute €2.1 million towards a €6 million redevelopment of the racecourse in Ballybrit.
The project involves a substantial redevelopment of the enclosure to the north of the parade ring, under the Racecourse Capital Development Scheme.
One of the most recognisable landmarks at the racecourse – the existing long, narrow Tote Ireland building, will also be demolished and replaced with a new structure incorporating a betting hall with bar and food facilities.
The two-storey building will feature a large, open-plan betting hall with capacity for up to 550 racegoers on the ground floor, with Tote Ireland betting counters on three sides and a large betting shop on the fourth side.
Externally, there will be 46 Tote Ireland betting windows, with the majority facing the racetrack.
A modern champagne bar will be positioned on the first floor of the new building with capacity for 450 people.
A sizeable portion of both upstairs and downstairs will be dedicated to new toilet facilities.
A planning application is due to be submitted for the project in the coming weeks.
Construction of the new building will begin after the 2017 Summer Festival with a launch date head of the 2018 racing festival.