RAIN FAILS TO HALT FONTWELL PARK REVAMP

The parade ring and saddling boxes have been completely refurbished while the enclosure has been moved to a more central location.

Rubber surfaces have replaced tarmac in the parade ring and rubber floors and walls have been added to the saddling boxes.

The concrete posts around the parade ring have been replaced with plastic rails.

The winners' enclosure now forms a small amphitheatre on the side of the parade ring and is much closer to the grandstands than before. The centre piece is a new timber rostrum for presentations to winning owners.

A new suite has also been built for winning owners to celebrate their victories.

In addition, there is a new Tote betting shop and one of the main bars, the Salmon Spray Bar, has been extended.

This work takes the investment in new facilities at Fontwell Park to more than 1.5m in the past three years.

Mackley Construction, based in Small Dole, secured a contract last June with Northern Racing Ltd to construct the new facility. The eight- week contract required total completion in time for racing on August 23.

Jeff Holme, of Mackley Construction, said: "Failure was not an option. The work required the services of up to 20 specialist sub-contractors, working with our own workforce. Following site clearance, the work included open saddling stables, textured surfaces for the ring, new footpaths and viewing terraces, a presentation rostrum and returfing the site.

"Much of the work was bespoke and existing buildings were made available for a temporary carpenters' shop."

The work was hampered at times by the extremely wet summer. Temporary shelters had to be made. With the deadline fast approaching, many worked shifts long into the night to be sure of meeting the finish date.

For full story see West Sussex Gazette, Sussex Horse World, September 5