Ladbrokes Coral Stadium director Ian Smyth met local residents on Thursday evening with preparatory work almost over for ‘Project Romford’.
Work is to start in the next few days in erecting the new ‘second bend’ marquee which will have to be raised several feet to afford a view of the racing circuit. Once erected the main grandstand will be demolished and a new one built in place of the current Millennium Grandstand.
The current Millennium Stand
Smyth said: “The meeting was to reassure the residents that the work will be carried out in the correct manner with minimum disruption. Around 50 residents and a couple of owners turned up and it was overwhelmingly positive. The consensus was ‘we are happy to live next to the track, its a feature of Romford, but can you just ensure minimal disruption during the building work.’
“I assured them that we are using considerate contractors and are mindful of our neighbours. Bizarrely, the single greatest concern are the speedbumps, which were obviously not properly fitted and have proved a real noise nuisance for the local residents. That, of course, will be addressed.
“The marquee should be complete by mid-August. The structure itself will only take a few days to put up but the work is in getting the base right. When it is done we will have a presentation area again for the owners.
“We will also be completely re-laying the track in early September. We may have to fiddle about with the dates of the Puppy Cup to make sure it has all gone to plan before the competition gets underway.”
It has been a difficult baptism to his new position for the new Ladbroke/Coral track boss who acted with compassion when seven of Barry O’Sullivan’s runners were withdrawn by the kennel from Saturday’s card following fatal injuries to two dogs earlier in the evening.
Smyth said: “It was an unfortunate incident that had to be dealt with sensitively. Things might have been different if Barry had been at the track on the night. But we move on.”
Smyth has also confirmed that he is currently studying injury and welfare data for all four tracks under his control.
A graphic depicting the internal view of the planned new grandstand which will be located on the current backstraight, which will become the new home straight
