THE €6 million new facility planned for Galway Racecourse will be open to all racegoers, says manager Michael Moloney.

Horse Racing Ireland is contributing €2.1 million towards the cost of the two-storey building which will see the demolition of the old-fashioned narrow Tote building adjacent to the parade ring. Work on the project will not start until after the 2017 summer meeting and will be ready advance of the 2018 festival.

The two-storey building will feature a large, open-plan betting hall with capacity for up to 550 racegoers on the ground floor, with Tote counters on three sides and a large betting shop on the fourth side. Externally, there will be 46 Tote windows, with the majority facing the racetrack. The windows will be set back to provide weather protection to racegoers.

Upstairs will be a champagne bar with a capacity for 450 people. A balcony with covered terrace will overlook the parade ring, betting ring and part of the racetrack. A sizeable portion of both upstairs and downstairs will be dedicated to new toilet facilities.

Moloney said: “This will open up what has always been a tight area in the enclosure. All areas will be open to racegoers.”

This year Galway introduced a double-decker marquee where owners and trainers could enjoy a light lunch.

Moloney said: “This was well received and in the longer term we might relocate it to a permanent building but it will not be included in this project.”