New features and facilities
The retractable roof and the spot cooling system enable patrons to inspect racehorses in a controlled environment.
The viewing balconies will bring the Parade Ring's capacity to 4,700 spectators and provide convenient access for fans to view the horses.
With a floor space of 8,000 square feet, the new Owners' Pavilion ushers in a one-stop service concept with betting facilities, catering services, concierge services, viewing terraces, a roof garden and direct access to the Parade Ring.
The new 18 saddling stalls have air-conditioners, insecticidal devices, padded walls and floors.
Key Data
3,000 tonnes of steel were used to build the retractable roof - equal to the weight of 6,000 horses.
Meets wind-load requirements set by the Hong Kong Buildings Ordinance, which means it is resistant to typhoons up to Signal No10.
The default position of the panels is 'open', and they will be closed when necessary.
The project has created hundreds of jobs for the local labour market and its completion involved more than one million man hours. On peak days, there were 600 workers on-site.
The area covered by the new roof measures 129,000 square feet.
Racegoers will feel cooler under the roof because the temperature will be approximately 5 degrees Celsius lower than the exposed areas.
Project design by Japanese company MHS Planners, Architects & Engineers HK. It is experienced in building retractable roof structures for sports and exhibition centres in Japan. The company's current list of projects include a five-year redevelopment of the grandstand at the Tokyo Racecourse for the Japan Racing Association.
