€500,000 redevelopment planned for Ballinrobe Racecourse

Announcement ‘a vote of confidence’ in Mayo’s only racecourse

Michael Duffy

Facilities at Ballinrobe Racecourse are in line for a €500,000 redevelopment which will see the renovation of the existing stable yard, a new main entrance, a new playground, machinery shed and a balcony extension.
Grant aid of €200,000 for the project has been approved by the Board of Horse Racing Ireland (HRI). Ballinrobe is one of four racecourses for which Racecourse Capital Development Grants of almost €3 million have been approved under the new €100 million capital development scheme announced at the end of 2014.
The works, designed to make the venue more family friendly and to provide an enhanced raceday experience, will begin this year and will be completed in 2019.
John Flannelly, Manager of Ballinrobe Racecourse, said today (Tuesday) that the local Racecourse Committee is delighted to have received approval for funding from Horse Racing Ireland's Capital Development Programme.
“With immediate effect we will be commencing work on a children's playground, a balcony extension to the Coranna Restaurant and a new machinery store, all of which will further enhance facilities at the racecourse. Our intention at Ballinrobe is to provide the best possible raceday experience for our patrons and to encourage more people to come racing. The announcement today is another vote of confidence in Ballinrobe Racecourse,” said Mr Flannelly.
Ballinrobe, Leopardstown, Killarney and Tipperary, the first racecourses to have projects approved for commencement in 2015, will spend over €7 million on improvements for all users of the racecourse facilities and create up to 90 jobs in their immediate areas in the course of the developments.
All 26 Irish racecourses are eligible to apply for funding under this scheme with HRI providing 40 per cent of the cost of approved projects. It is estimated that the entire Capital Development Fund will generate in the region of 1300 direct and indirect jobs.
Brian Kavanagh, CEO of HRI, said: “Improving racecourse facilities is of the utmost importance and while Ballinrobe is a very progressive track, the new upgrades will really benefit their customers. The approved Capital Development Grant projects at Ballinrobe and elsewhere will offer construction work and employment spread right throughout the country, further emphasising the vital role of racecourses as contributors to their local economies.”
Applications from racecourses are currently being evaluated, with the next wave of grant approvals due to be announced at the end of May and then on a progressive basis over the next six months.