Redevelopment of tipperary racecourse to get underway

The Tipperary Stand at Tipperary Racecourse is in line for a €375,000 refurbishment as part of a €700,000 redevelopment which will include improvements to the parade ring, ambulance road, stable yard, car park, canteen and weigh room.

Grant aid of €280,000 for the project has been approved by the Board of Horse Racing Ireland (HRI). Tipperary is one of four racecourses for which Racecourse Capital Development Grants of almost €3 million have been approved under the new €100 million capital development scheme announced at the end of 2014.

The first phase of the work will begin this year with an estimated completion date of 2019.

Andrew Hogan, Manager of Tipperary Racecourse:
“Tipperary Racecourse is delighted to have received approval for funding from Horse Racing Ireland's Capital Development Programme. The upgrade and extension of the Tipperary stand is much needed and although it won’t be completed until 2019, we will carry out some initial work right away to remodel the toilets and upgrade the second bar area. We’ll also carry out a wide range of upgrades to improve facilities for our racegoers, trainers, jockeys and ambulance staff.'

Tipperary, Ballinrobe, Leopardstown and Killarney, the first racecourses to have projects approved for commencement in 2015, will spend over €7 million on improvements for all users of the racecourse facilities and create up to 90 jobs in their immediate areas in the course of the developments.
All 26 Irish racecourses are eligible to apply for funding under this scheme with HRI providing 40% of the cost of approved projects. It is estimated that the entire Capital Development Fund will generate in the region of 1300 direct and indirect jobs.

Brian Kavanagh, CEO of HRI:
“Improving racecourse facilities is of the utmost importance and while Tipperary completed significant upgrading in 2013, some further work is needed to bring parts of the track up to this high standard and the new upgrades will really benefit their customers. The approved Capital Development Grant projects at Tipperary and elsewhere will offer construction work and employment spread right throughout the country, further emphasising the vital role of racecourses as contributors to their local economies.”

Applications from racecourses are currently being evaluated, with the next wave of grant approvals due to be announced at the end of May and then on a progressive basis over the next six months