Galway Advertiser 2007/2007_07_12/GA_1207_E1_028.pdf 

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www.galwayadvertiser.ie

July 12 2007

New 22m stand ranks Ballybrit as one of best racecourses in Europe
BY MARY O'CONNOR The new 22 million state-of-the art Killanin Stand at Galway Racecourse will rank Galway as one of the best racecourses in Europe, Galway Race Committee chairman Raymond J Rooney said this week. Speaking at the opening of the facility which was named after the late Lord Killanin and was offically opened by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern on Monday, Mr Rooney said the race committee had two objectives in providing the stand. "The first was to continue with their policy of providing a standard of excellence in all facilities at Galway Racecourse for their patrons. Secondly, to reward and pay tribute to the many thousands of loyal supporters who continually come to Galway Races. The creation of this new stand with its elaborate facilities will rank Galway as one of the best racecourses in Europe. "Here in the west, we will be proud to entertain racegoers nationally and internationally in the awareness that the standards we are providing are second to none in the world." He said the provision of the stand, which will accommodate more than 7,000 people, is the last piece of a jigsaw which saw developments take place over the past seven years at Galway Racecourse. These included the new millennium stand, underground car and pedestrian pass and the creation of new weighroom, offices and media centre. "This new development will stand as testimony to the strength of Irish racing in this country and confirm the long held theory that if you supply top class facilities in any sport or organisation you will get the support." The stand, which was grant aided by Horse Racing Ireland to the tune of 10 million, was completed in a record

An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, with John Maloney manager of Galway Race Course, Ray Rooney, chairman of Galway Race Committee, Mayor Tom Costello and Tim Naughton Galway Race Committee at the opening of the New Killanin Stand at Galway Racecourse on Monday. Photo:-Mike Shaughnessy

time of 44 weeks by building contractors Michael McNamara and Co. It consists of four floors. The ground floor comprises bar, restaurant, tote and toilet facilities. The Menlo Bar and restaurant is situated on the first floor, together with tote, bar and toilet facilities. There is also a free seating balcony off this floor for 700 patrons. The second and third floor house the Plate and Hurdle Hospitality Suites. The feature of this stand is the panoramic views of Galway Racecourse, Galway Bay and Lough Corrib. Meanwhile racegoers need not worry about c o n t r a c t i n g cryptosporiodis at the annual Ballybrit festival. A 150,000 water filtration and UV light system has been installed in all outlets at the racecourse. Laboratory tests have indicated that all water there is free of the bug which can cause diarrhoeal illness.

Former Miss Ireland Lynda Duffy struts her stuff at the opening of the new stand on Monday. Photo: Mike Shaughnessy.

John Morris son of the late Lord Killanin, with his sister-in-law Thelma Mansfield at the opening of the New Killanin Stand at Galway Racecourse on Monday. Photo:-Mike Shaughnessy