THE S.C.J.C.'S NEW GRAND STAND

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1581, 14 March 1879, Page 4

THE S.C.J.C.'S NEW GRAND STAND

On Tuesday last we (“Timaru Herald”) paid a visit to the Timaru racecourse, in order tc inspect the new grand stand just completed to the order of the South Canterbury Jockey Club. The building is 65ft. long by 30ft. broad, and 28ft. high to the top plate. In the eastern part of the building, on the ground floor, are a jockey's room, 10ft. x Bft.; stewards' room, 14ft. x 10ft.; and a weighingroom, 10ft. I Bft. Next to these, and fronting the course, is a bar, 28ft. x 14ft., fitted with all necessary appliances, for the exclusive use of the lawn frequenters. Next to this, again, comes a luncheon-room, 28ft. x 14ft., while at the west end are a ladies’ room, Bft. x 14ft., and a kitchen, lift. Gin x 6ft., for the convenience of whoever may have the general license booth. At the back of the building, on the ground floor, and opening to the south, is a bar, 28ft. x 14ft., with three spacious entrances, for the use of the general public. The upstair, or grand stand, portion is reached by two commodious staircases, one at each end. The three front rows of seats will be reserved for the exclusive use of ladies, and will be furnished with canebottomed chairs. The remaining portion will be for gentlemen, and the whole stand will comfortably accommodate with seats between 450 and 500 persons. The roof is curved, is constructed on the laminated principle, and is supported in front by eight pillars six inches square, with caps and brackets. The front railing is pannelled, and the whole is painted white, and picked out with red and blue. At each end the stand itself is closed in with large windows, which can bo opened or closed at will. The material used in the building is brick, resting on concrete foundations, the upper structure alone being in timber. Though the whole is strongly braced and put together, the architect, to prevent the nor’westerly gales injuring the open building, has provided sliding shutters, by which means, when the stand is not in use, the whole of the building can be entirely closed in. The front row of seats stands about twenty feet above the course.

In front of the grand stand is a lawn 100 ft. wide by the same in depth. It is shut in on the west side, and privacy ensured, by a galvanised iron fence Gft. in height, through which access will be obtained by a wicket, with the ticket-taker’s box alongside. At the back part of the lawn, and immediately in front of the stand, a terrace 25ft. in depth and 4ft. high has been raised, from the foot of which the ground slopes gently down to the course. The lawn is divided from the course and the saddling paddock by neat picket fences. At the right hand corner of it is the judge’s box, with platform accommodation overhead for the exclusive use of the stewards. The saddling paddock is to the west of the lawn, and is surrounded on three sides by a Gft. corrugated iron fence, which will prevent outsiders from seeing into it.

On the ground adjoining the grand stand, and at a few paces away, on the western side, are two permanent booths, each 30ft. by 16ft., fitted up with counters, shelves, &c. Mr M. De H. Duval was the architect for the building, and deserves every credit for the perfection of the arrangements ; while Mr Thornton, the contractor, has carried out his job in first-class style. The contract price was £I2OO.

The grand stand is situated at the southeastern end of the racecourse reserve, and from its elevation on the brow of the hill, commands a most complete view of every part of the course, and also a magnificent one of the hills. Comfort has been combined with great elegance and every convenience, and the grand stand is really one of the best in the colony. The racecourse itself has been slightly altered so as to make it sweep immediately beneath the new stand ; but it is still fully equal to the old one, and is in capital order. The terrace and lawn look rather rough now, owing to having been but recently made, but when they are turfed, as they will be by next year, they will present a very pretty appearance. The stand, besides being ornamental, is quite a landmark, and as it will bo, seen for miles off over the plains, it will do much towards impressing visitors—who will pass within no great distance of it when travelling on the railway line—with the wealth, importance, and flourishing condition of the district.

The South Canterbury Jockey Club certainly deserve the thanks of all lovers of the turf, not only in this district, but throughout the colony, for the enterprise they have shown in making the many improvements above alluded to ; and as visitors will now find that every possible arrangement has been made for their comfort and convenience, we shall look forward to a much larger attendance at next week’s races than has yet been seen on the course. While we feel sure that everyone will join with us in wishing the club the success which they so richly deserve, we would impress upon the public that the surest way of ensuring that success is to patronise the races, and to practically assist the club in every possible way.