Single Point Design Team for Galway Racecourse Parade Ring and Eastern End Redevelopment

Tender description

The Galway Festival is one of the great racing festivals in Europe. In recent years it has seen significant investment in its buildings with a new Tote building being completed in 2018. Galway is now looking to improve the overall experience of the site with particular regard to the parade ring. The aim is to create a stadium experience unparalleled in Ireland The Parade Ring is to undergo significant alterations. The area will serve as a focal point within the racecourse and it will be completely revamped and modernised to cater for an increased spectator capacity, and to make the most of the parade spectacle and pre-race and post-race celebrations. The Parade Ring has its perimeter delineated by informal ‘steppings’, or tiered seating, and raised viewing platforms. Universal access to raised areas is guaranteed with panoramic passenger lifts, and a connecting bridge that links to the existing Tote Building at first floor. The seating areas are to be covered with independent canopy structures. New hospitality venues will be located at ground floor under the main platform, opening up to a new landscaped square; and on the first floor of the platform catering for parade spectators. Similarly, a new pavilion to the South of the Parade Ring, adjacent to the course, is envisaged to accommodate a restaurant with a terraced area and panoramic views to the course and parade. The Bookies’ Ring, in between the new Parade area and the Millennium Stand is also due to be upgraded. A new Pre-parade Ring is planned, directly adjacent to the main Parade area. This is intended as an arrival area, where horses brought up from the stables, can be saddled, meet their jockeys and be prepared before parading and walking towards the course. The first floor of the existing stand will have the existing hospitality facilities upgraded in a major refurbishment. A new office block will relocate Galway Races personnel closer to the course’s north-western entrance.