17 December 2009 Byford Trotting Training Complex - Capital Works

The transformation of Byford to a harness training centre of excellence centre is well underway with a number of preliminary works now completed.

Improvements undertaken to date include:

• Construction of drainage basin adjacent to Briggs Road.
• Pressure cleaning of outfall culverts from main track and jog track.
• Refurbishment and painting of outside jog track rail.
• Replacement of perimeter fencing.
• Purchase of new track maintenance machinery (tractor and track conditioner).

The drainage works in particular have significantly improved the performance of the main track, especially throughout the winter period.

Forthcoming Works

The next phase of Stage 1 Redevelopment Works will commence on Monday, 4 January 2010 and will last for approximately four weeks. The works will encompass the following;

• Formalisation of pavement and installation of drainage system in the stalls bank adjacent to Binshaw Avenue. Included in these works will be the replacement of concrete flooring in the eastern section of the bank and structural reinforcements to walls in the horse urinal and stalls.
• Construction of new machinery access road between Clubhouse and stalls area.

The works will greatly enhance the comfort of track users when using the respective stalls whilst the construction of the new maintenance road (and future relocation of machinery compound) will significantly reduce current horse / machinery conflict issues.

TRAINING FACILITY RESTRICTIONS

As the associated works will be undertaken in the heart of the complex, there will be an unavoidable level of disruption to routine training and trialling activities. To enable the works to be completed in the shortest possible timeframe and to ensure the safety of track users, spectators and horses, the following restrictions will be applied throughout the construction period:

• Cancellation of trials on Sunday, 10 January 2010 and Sunday, 17 January 2010.
• No access to stalls bank adjacent to Binshaw Avenue.
• Access to pool and remaining stalls area (including wash-down bays) restricted as follows:

  Day	Morning	Afternoon
  Mondays	Sunrise to 7am	No Access
  Tuesdays	Sunrise to 7am	5pm to 7pm
  Wednesdays	Sunrise to 7am	No Access
  Thursdays	Sunrise to 7am	5pm to 7pm
  Fridays	Sunrise to 7am	No Access
  Saturdays	Sunrise to 4pm
  Sundays (10/01/10 & 17/01/10)	NO ACCESS

• No thoroughfare access to jog track via stalls works area – horses and joggers to use external bridal paths to access jog track entrances.

Please note:

• Actual track opening times will remain unchanged with the exception of Saturdays when the regular track closing time will be extended to 4pm. The restrictions outlined above relate specifically to the use of the stalls and pool areas.
• Track users who elect to access the stalls / pool areas (as per restricted usage schedule) throughout the works period are urged to do so with extreme caution.  There will be safety bunting erected around trenches and excavations together with idle machinery and equipment in the works area which may spook horses.
• Should planned works be completed ahead of schedule, increased access to facilities will be considered.

Whilst the works will create a short-term inconvenience to some track users, the longer term benefits of such improvements will be both significant and enduring.   To this end, RWWA anticipates your cooperation and tolerance throughout the works period.

On a personal note, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all track users for their cooperation and good will throughout the year and to wish you and your families a very merry Christmas and prosperous New Year.

Regards
Dudley Corbett
Racing Training Centre Manager