UP-TO-DATE RACECOURSE

Shannon News, 16 November 1928, Page 3

UP-TO-DATE RACECOURSE

IMPROVEMENTS BY LEVIN CLUB.

REFRESHMENT ROOMS AND STEWARDS' STAND EXTENDED.

OUTSIDE STAND TO FOLLOW

Few racing clubs operating in a town of about 2500 inhabitants and holding only one day's racing a year can show results such as those which stand to the credit of the Levin Racing Club. Essentially a people's meeting, the annual gathering has a widespread reputation for clean sport and a fair run for the money, whether of the owner, the backer or the uninitiated visitor who pays his. admission fee for the sake of an enjoyable day's outing. It is, however, in the gradual, and of late years rapid, development of the course and appointments that the club has its most conspicuous claim to recognition. An unswerving policy of progress has boon pursued, which has been thoroughly in keeping with the growth of the population in the district and the assured evolution of the township into a sub-provincial centre. Last year the club made a big move forward by constructing two straight starts (one at the six-furlong post and the other at the mile,and a-quarter), erecting a judge's box in a more favourable position, enlarging the birdcage, and putting up new netting fences. ■ Further improvements have been effected this year, giving much more accommodation at the principal buildings. The total cost of the new works carried out in the two years.—and done on a sound economical basis —is £I2OO,

An inspection of the improvements done since the last race-meeting was made yesterday .by a Chronicle representative, who was shown round by the jelub's president, Mr T. Bevan.. The dining-room at the back of the grandstand will be remembered by visitors in previous years as* being rather cramped" quarters; but when they return there to refresh themselves on Saturday they will find a distinct change for the better. The apartment has been enlarged to take two more tables by extending it into what was formerly the kitchen, and the latter is now housed in an addition to the building. A highpressure range has been installed, together with, two coppers in concrete stands, and two sinks served with both hot and cold water, the hot water being drawn from a copper boiler attached to the range. Adjoining the kitchen in the new part of the building is a counter-lunch room, which will have a. useful function in providing, casual refreshments. In the additions there is also a new room for use of the stewards, which is adjacent to the stewards' luncheon room; and each of these rooms is provided with a door opening on to a porch. The additions' to the back of the grandstand measure in all approximately 15ft by 70 ft. The publican's booth' has' been repainted, and along the Mako Mako road frontage of the grounds a corrugated iron fence has been erected. T«he concrete paving in front of the stewards' stand has been raised by more,, th,an a foot, and this represents the commencement of a work which will be continued soon after the coming meeting —namely the raising of the level of the saddling-paddoek to that of the course, and aligning the lawn accordingly. Many alterations have been made to the stewards' stand which has been lengthened by about 20 feet. The office space has been almost doubled. , The jockeys' room has been lengthened by about 18 feet, and it now contains 30 lockers and is equipped with a wash-basin and a lavatory. For the stewards' observation quarters a new private entrance has been made at the laAvn end, giving access to a staircase which comes out alongside the judge's box. A commendable innovation has been advised by Mr Bevan, in that the platform, now lengthened with the building, has been constructed with a sweep outwards so that all the spectators can obtain a clear view of the straight. This is particularly advantageous to the press division which is railed off at the far end and at the back of which is a new press-room with table and forms. Behind the stewards' space is a commodious bar. A lavatory and wash-basin have also been added. The main entrance to the stewards' stand is now at the back, and the disappearance of the old, narrow, outride staircase will doubtless be counted a boon.

Two more septic tanks have had to be installed at a cost of £BB one*tat tne rear of the grandstand and the other behind the stewards' stand. The ticket box that used to stand outside the main gate has been shifted inside, and in future the car tickets will be taken at the gate, and the other tickets at the box after the cars have been parked in the paddoi-k. This is a change, which will do away with a great deal of congestion at the entrance. The car paddock has an area of two acres, but even so it is advisable for those who drive to thV races to get in early. .First-class materials have been used in all the improvements, which may fairly be described as permanent, in the accepted sense of the word —that is to say, they will give satisfaction until they are no longer sufficient to cope with increasing crowds, when they will form the nucleus of further extensions.

The next move in contemplation, after the levelliug-up of the lawns, is the enlargement of the outside stand. Following that, the Club will give attention, to the inside track, comprising the plough and the grass practice course,

It is a fact worthy of note that all the above improvements have been carried out under the personal direction of Mr Bevan, with the employment of day labour. The club-can certainly number the president among its most valuable assets, for his energy,

enthusiasm and practical .knowledge are always at its disposal. The course-proper is in tip-top Condition and the public may look'forward to seeing an excellent day's rac : iug on Saturday.