Area, part of the Fourfront Group, is leading the development of Romford Greyhound Stadium on behalf of Ladbrokes Coral Group as part of a £8.5m redevelopment of the 90-year-old dog track.
Dating back to 1929 Romford Stadium is one of twenty-one remaining active greyhound racing sites in the UK. It is being reconfigured to make it more suitable to 21st century spectators, and with a view to future proofing greyhound racing for new generations of fans. The old Main Stand is being demolished and the remaining space cleared and used as a car park, whilst the Millennium Stand is being retained, extended and refurbished.
Access is restricted due to the proximity of housing and nearby rail route, but also the requirement to accommodate greyhound trials and racing six days per week. Time on site is limited to be able to work around the racing and so as not to disturb the dogs themselves whilst in the kennel space, prior to races.
Area is working with a wider professional team alongside project managers and QS Pierce Hill, architects Ralgreen, structural engineers Mason Navarro Pledge and Callaghan Green, building services consultants. On completion the stadium will benefit from a refurbished kennel space, creation of a new judge’s box, new kitchen, a 180-seat restaurant, bars with new seating areas, public toilet spaces along with new circulation space, access routes with disabled lift access as well as the creation of a car park.
Shahine Mardani, Project Director, from Area said: “This is a unique job in all sorts of ways, not just in terms of accessibility, but because there are only twenty-one active greyhound tracks in the UK. When we finish in spring 2019 the new facilities will accommodate around 1,500 people on race days. In the meantime, we have a schedule of 22-weeks onsite and a target to keep the track open the whole time and avoid disturbing the dogs. It’s going to be a great project to work on.”
