The Sports Turf Research Institute - Showcase

Wetherby Racecourse

 

General

As part of the Highways Agency road expansion scheme the A1 at Wetherby is to be widened and will require removal of the western bend immediately adjacent to the road.

The STRI were engaged as consultant responsible for the feasibility and design of the new bend and straight, monitoring the site during the construction phase to ensure that the works proceeded in accordance with the specification.

The brief from the client that the racecourse was to remain open to protect revenue during the construction works was the key issue during the planning stage. In order to minimise the disruption to the racing schedule, the construction has been carried out in two phases over a two year period.

Phase 1 comprised all the off line works from the construction of the gravel raft drainage system to the installation of a new irrigation system designed to meet the increased demand for water in accordance with the British Horseracing Authority guidelines.

All the online works were carried out in Phase 2 and comprised all work necessary to connect to and blend in with the previous years work and achieve a smooth transition back into the existing course.

The increase demand for water around the course required the drilling of a new irrigation borehole and the installation of a fully automated pumping system, design to provide the required water at a constant pressure to two 45 m boom irrigators. 

Client:

Wetherby Steeplechase Committee

Date:

2005 to date

Contractor:

Souter Sports

Services Provided:

• Site appraisal – ground conditions, drainage, topography.

• Detailed design of earthworks, drainage, track profiles and irrigation system.

• Preparation of specifications and construction drawings.

• Tender assessment of services and costs received from specialist Sportsground contractors.

• Assessment and approval of construction materials.

• Ongoing site monitoring – supervision of all aspects of track formation, drainage and irrigation works.

• Ongoing maintenance and management advice to ground staff.

Scope of work

Phase 1 2006

• Earthworks to shape formation surface
• Installation of pipe drainage system
• Installation of a geotextile membrane
• Spreading of gravel drainage layer
• Spreading screened topsoil for sowing
• Sow approved seed mixture
• Installation of new irrigation system
• Construction of new access tracks and woodchip canter down

Phase 1 2007

• Earthworks to link offline works and tie into existing track
• Drainage system to link into year 1 system
• Installation of slit drains
• Reinstate Fibresand track crossing
• New borehole and pump to connect to irrigation main
• Pump and irrigation testing

 

The works are due for completion in September 2007 and will be handed over the Wetherby Steeplechase Committee in time for the start of the 2007 – 2008 jump season.

The works were carried out by Souters Sports Ltd and work has progressed well to a tight programme.