As suggested on this site within the last month, Central Park is to undergo a major development of the racing circuit.
The £500,000 project will see the removal of the current racing surface and base, with a new base and drainage system installed under a new Pegasus sand surface. The design of the new track profile, drainage infrastructure and surface will ensure performance in all weathers, whilst retaining the same overall layout as a naturally open, free flowing circuit.
Preliminary works, which will not impact on the upcoming fixture schedule, will take place over the next two weeks. Following this period, Central Park Stadium will be temporarily closed between Monday 12 June and Saturday 1 July whilst the track is relayed.
A further update will be issued in due course with regards fixtures scheduled for this period, which will be transferred to other Racing Partnership affiliated tracks.
ARC Greyhound Operations Director, Rachel Corden, said, “As we have previously confirmed, there has been a marked change in the ability of the track at Central Park to cope with heavy rainfall in recent months. This has led to a number of cancelled fixtures, which has been a significant frustration for many.
“We are pleased, therefore, to get underway with this significant investment in Central Park and to do so quickly. We are grateful to STRI and GBGB for their assistance in investigating the issues that we have faced with the track, and will continue to work closely with them both throughout the installation of the new surface.”
“Hopefully we are able to enjoy a stretch of good weather which will allow the main body of the work to continue at a good pace and we can start racing again within the projected timeframe. We would like to thank all of the owners and trainers and everyone else associated with Central Park for their understanding and will look forward to welcoming everyone back on site once the project is completed.”
It is anticipated that local runners will be invited to participate in inter-track events with Crayford during the periods when Central Park is closed.
