Wetherby Racecourse

The challenges

Development of the western bend and home straight was required as a result of the bordering A1 being widened as part of the Highways Agency Road improvement scheme. STRI was brought in at the inception stage to provide project management and design consultancy services, involving strategic planning for the removal and redevelopment of the western bend, and the subsequent construction of the straight.

Due to the nature of extensive redevelopment required, the scheme would have to be executed in two phases, comprising off-line works in year one, and online works being undertaken the following year. It was essential that works carried out allowed for the continuation of racing during this period.

The objectives

• To provide project management, design consultancy services and delivery of the entire reconstruction.
• To establish a programme of works, in conjunction with the Client, Jockey Club, Highways Agency and Utility Companies.
• Construction of new access tracks and woodchip canter down, supervision of track formation, drainage & irrigation works.
• Provision of ongoing site monitoring and maintenance schedule during and after reconstruction.

The solutions

Management of the project began with STRI undertaking an initial site appraisal in which ground conditions, drainage and the topography of the site were analysed. A feasibility study was prepared in order to establish user requirements, site conditions, planning and costs, culminating in a blueprint of works to be completed over the two-year period. Prior to the commencement of any work, it was imperative that a detailed levels survey was completed, as significant changes to the existing surface levels would be required for the development of the new bend. CAD drawings were completed by STRI technicians, depicting a comprehensive layout of the site works, the design, layout and profile of the track, along with specifications for irrigation layouts and assemblies. Consultations with all stakeholders took place, and once a programme of works and design for track reconstruction had been agreed, work was tendered to specialist contractors. A contractor was then selected and appointed by STRI.

Phase one commenced June 2006, with the off line works scheduled to take place throughout the duration of the year. These included the construction of the gravel raft drainage system on the Home Bend and Home Straight, the cultivation and pipe drainage on the Away Bend and the Back Straight, and the installation of a new irrigation system. Earthworks commenced to re-shape the formation of the surface, with screening of the topsoil. Working to a Grit Raft profile, a new system of pipe drainage was installed along with a geotextile membrane to separate layers and prevent intermixing. A gravel drainage blanket was spread and above this, a layer of the previously screened topsoil was inserted, which underwent subsequent laser grading. An approved grass seed mixture was sown, comprising perennial ryegrasss (60%) and meadow-grass/fescue (40%), which established successfully in October 2006. To address the requirement for a larger supply of water for the course, a new irrigation system was installed in line with BHA criteria.

A programme of online works was launched in June 2007 for Phase 2 of the development, with STRI monitoring site work to ensure successful integration with the off line works completed the previous year. This included work on the gravel raft on the Home Bend and slit drainage on the Away Bend and Home Back and Straight. Earthworks were undertaken to link the off line works to the existing track, following which, turf was laid on 20 July 2007. The density of the sward was analysed by STRI and a sequence of maintenance works were advised to negate the impact of any compaction in the soil profile. A programme of irrigation was commissioned in August 2007 and rotary soil decompaction was completed in September 2007.

Following analysis of a trial gallop in October 2007, a maintenance schedule was drawn up by STRI to include mowing, oversowing using a mixture of perennial ryegrass cultivars (70%) and fescue cultivars (30%) and using fertilisers that would have a slow release to regulate phosphate levels in the soil. It was advised that Verti-Draining at different depths be implemented to loosen and aerate the soil. Irrigation applications were controlled during the summer and a wetting agent used to improve moisture penetration.

The results

• Successful realignment of the new bend and track.
• Work completed in line with the initial one-year schedule, with disruption to racing minimised.
• Management of work handed over to Wetherby Steeplechase Committee in time for the start of the 2007-2008 jump season.
• Continual support and good surfaces maintained to date.