Major plans are afoot in Punchestown Racecourse and following the 2016 National Hunt Festival next May work will commence on a €6.2m upgrade to facilities. Grant aid of €2.5m has been approved by the board of Horse Racing Ireland and earmarked first for redevelopment is the old grandstand area by the final fence which will see the new site incorporating a dedicated owners and trainers lounge, a public bar, a champagne bar, additional toilets and improved betting facilities. Phase two of the development is scheduled to begin after the 2017 festival and will involve rebuilding the above mentioned grandstand from scratch and incorporating different viewing and hospitality areas. Dick O'Sullivan, General Manager of Punchestown Racecourse, said, “Punchestown is the home of Irish jump racing and we are conscious that the venue must live up to such a title. Through hard work and a dedicated team, we have continued to develop and grow the Irish National Hunt Festival despite some difficult years. The customer experience is paramount to maintain and grow attendances and now is the time to upgrade our facilities. With the support of our trustees, Kildare Hunt Club, sponsors, Horse Racing Ireland and of course our loyal customers we look forward with confidence to improving the facilities at Punchestown.” Horse Racing Ireland's Chief Executive Brian Kavanagh added, “This is the third largest amount of grant aid allocated to a racecourse under HRI's current capital development programme and I am delighted that Punchestown's financial position has improved so significantly that they are now in a position to progress such a major schedule of works over the next two years.”
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