Arena Racing Company (“ARC”) is investing £120,000 into the racing surface at Southwell Racecourse.
The fibresand on two areas of the track is being replaced. An area of approximately one furlong on the Golf Club bend and an area beyond the six furlong start on the back straight will be replaced. The work will take place in October and be completed by the start of the following month ready for Southwell Racecourse’s next all-weather fixture on Thursday 10 November.
Due to flooding, other areas of the track have been replaced in 2007 and 2012 but this area of the home straight has not and so will benefit from the investment.
In addition to the work on the track ARC has received approval from Newark and Sherwood District Council to carry out wider flood defence works to safeguard the future of the racecourse. The plans were developed in partnership with Ardent Consulting Engineers, the Environment Agency and Trent Internal Drainage Board and were submitted for detailed planning consent in August 2015.
The work includes the construction of a 4km long flood alleviation bund, around the circumference of the course and buildings, together with the creation of flood cells and four hectares of wetland area with significant drainage infrastructure improvements. With these changes in place flood waters will be attenuated and diverted to flood storage areas within the site, thereby avoiding the racecourse and the village of Rolleston.
Southwell Racecourse will seek to continue their partnership with the Environment Agency and Trent Internal Drainage Board and has agreed to make available £25,000 per annum as a contribution towards enhanced maintenance works to the surrounding River Greet, associated tributaries, dykes and culverts.
Executive Director of Southwell Racecourse, Mark Clayton, said: “This investment is great news for Southwell Racecourse. The works to the track will ensure a consistent racing surface and when the flood defences have been completed we can have confidence that the racecourse will not be so susceptible to flooding in the future. We thank the authorities and local residents for their support during the flood prevention scheme planning process. This can give all those who visit and support the racecourse much greater confidence that they will be coming here to enjoy racing and events for many years to come.”
