Racegoers heading to York’s most prestigious racing festival will be able to enjoy a raft of new facilities.
The Sky Bet Ebor Festival (Wednesday 21- Saturday 24 August) will see the official opening of the Southern End Development.
This is the result of a multi-million pound investment to the area south of the Knavesmire Stand and behind the Bustardthorpe Stand.
On arrival, racegoers will see a set of wrought-iron gates created by local blacksmith Andrew Brind. These are dedicated to the memory of Reg Bond, a successful Yorkshire businessman and a leading example of the joys of being a racehorse owner and breeder.
The Roberto Pavilion includes a ‘fast-serve bar’, fish and chip shop and cocktail and Pimm’s bar, as well as both tote & William Hill outlets.
The single-storey building, complete with signature York Racecourse red, white and blue barber poles, makes use of 70,000 specially commissioned bricks from family run business, York Handmade Bricks – appropriately named the Ebor Range.
Further to the south is the newly created 900 sq m Churchill Tyres Lawn and Canopy, described by the racecourse as “a great spot to relax, follow the action on the big screen, or listen to the live band”.
Flanking the lawn are food outlets, alongside an improved Theakston Bar and Guinness Bar.
A high-tech William Hill betting shop has reopened, offering interactive touch screens that can display the Racing Post SmartView racecards.
There’s a new block of toilets, while existing loos have been refurbished.
The update also includes a new staff welfare area and canteen, as well as some hot desk workspace, cold rooms and storage.
The project has included refurbishing the 1913 Bustardthorpe Stand, an example of the work of celebrated York architect Walter Brierley.
York Racecourse chief executive William Derby described the transformation as “phenomenal”.
“I am most proud that we have stayed true to our environmental principles, so I am confident in saying this is the most sustainable development on a racecourse to date, in keeping with our Green Knavesmire 300 commitment,” William said.
“Having battled a very wet winter to deliver the project, the long-term sustainability of our planet was on our minds throughout.
“Racegoers can now look forward to a pint of our special Theakston IPA, while they watch the big screen to see whether they can collect any winnings from either the tote or William Hill, knowing that a fish supper is nearby, in celebration or consolation.”