The proposal requires the relocation of the existing enclosure entrance, with direct access to conferencing and exhibition spaces that are integrated within the new stand. The project is structured to allow for racing to continue without interruption while the works are undertaken.

Design Aims
The new West Stand at Galway occupies a similar footprint to the original stand and is intended to have a similar capacity of 6000 people. However the intention is that the level of facilities and peoples enjoyment on the day is significantly improved.

Galway is a people’s racecourse and people flow freely around most areas of the enclosure. The new stand reflects this inclusive philosophy with unrestricted access to ground and first floor viewing areas as well as bar and tote facilities. The second and third floors have bar and dining areas with the potential for reserved use. Levels are kept simple and steps avoided where possible, to aid circulation and movement of people and allow disabled access to all areas.

The existing building block at the rear of the stand contains the tearoom, Mayor’s Bar and County Club and the intention is that this building is retained and upgraded in parallel with the new stand. A new Service Yard will be created in the area to the rear of the building.

In the layout of the building, the design intention is to maximise the viewing area to the south, fronting on to the track. Secondary and service spaces are kept to the rear of the building giving as much flexibility as possible across the entire length of the building. This equally applies to the ground floor level which has high levels of people movement and servicing.

Viewing Areas
At ground level there is a standing terrace with a capacity of approx. 3000 people. The terrace is cut in a crescent shape to give access to the Tote Hall behind give views and access from the Tote Hall out to the track.

The upper level of the terrace gives access to a seated area at first floor level with a capacity of approx. 650 people where the seated spectator can view the racing.

People can freely move between ground and first floors either through the seating / standing areas or via the escalators at the rear of the building.

Panoramic Restaurant
At the western end of the new stand we felt that there was an opportunity to create a special focus in the building form, to complete the composition and give a defined end to the stand. Internally, this gives the opportunity for a panoramic restaurant over two levels with fantastic views over the dip and final bend on race day and with distant views across Galway Bay.

Roof
The roof cantilevers over the seated and majority of the standing terrace and is column free back to the building line. The roof is a simple steel truss with a covering top and bottom to minimise corrosion and birds nesting in the structure. This covering could be either a metal sheeting system or a polycarbonate sheeting system subject to detailed analysis and research. This is similar to the roofing solution on the adjacent Millennium Stand and the intention is that the eaves line is at the same level to provide continuity across both buildings

Client: The Galway Race Committee