Aintree is ready to unveil new stands.

Byline: BY DEBORAH JAMES Daily Post Staff

THE home of the Grand National has reached a historic milestone in its redevelopment.

Building contractors Laing O'Rourke yesterday handed over Aintree racecourse's two new grandstands, the Earl of Derby and Lord Sefton stands.

Between them the grandstands hold 6,500 people, increasing the venue's overall capacity by 3,000 since last year's Grand National.

It means Aintree is on track to realise its ambition to deliver a world-class facility, with improved views for racegoers in time for the 2007 John Smiths-sponsored event, on April 14.

Yesterday also marked the completion of an international equestrian centre, Aintree's largest enclosure, which will be the new home of Liverpool's Summer Pops.

Already Aintree's phones have been ringing with enquiries to hire the 4,000-capacity arena, including an ideal homes exhibition now set for the end of April, and a booking by John Moores University as a venue to hold summer exams.

The equestrian centre will also double up as the Aintree Pavilion, replacing the large temporary marquee which was erected annually in the Tattersalls enclosure at previous Grand Nationals.

It was handed over yesterday by Eric Wright Construction, marking the completion of Phase 2 of the ambitious two-year building project.

Phase one of the project, the building of the racecourse's new weighing room and winner's enclosure complex was completed for the 2006 Grand National meeting.

Charles Barnett, Aintree's managing director, said fixtures and fittings to the interior of the new stands would continue to be added right up until this year's main steeplechase.

"We hope all customers attending any day of the Grand National meeting will be delighted, and that these facilities further enhance the experience at Aintree."

In addition to Aintree's current grandstands, the Princess Royal, the County and the Queen Mother Stands, the Earl of Derby and Lord Sefton Stands will both provide five tiers of premium viewing facilities for racing.

On the ground floor, two terraces will provide viewing for 1,400 racegoers within each grandstand, with two levels of tiered seating available for 1,580 racegoers on levels two and four over both Stands.

Levels one and three will offer breathtaking corporate facilities, with restaurants for 300 and 600 diners respectively.

Level five of both grandstands hold six private suites offering extreme luxury for corporate guests. Both facilities offer panoramic views over the racecourse from vantage points never before experienced at Aintree.

The re-development was part-funded by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB) as well as Aintree's own resources.

One of region's key tourism assets

RACING: PAGES 26-27

[e-mail]

CAPTION(S):

Officials from Laing O'Rourke, Aintree racecourse, and the North West Regional Development Agency, on the new terraces when the stands were officially handed over yesterday Picture: MARTIN BIRCHALL