HAYDOCK Park Racecourse's sparkling new £3 million Centenary Grandstand opens to the public today (Friday, May 28).

The new structure, which replaces the 100-year-old County Stand, has taken 10 months to build and racegoers will be able to use it for the first time at the course's two-day meeting on Friday and Saturday, May 28 and 29.

Haydock's managing director, Richard Thomas, said: "We now have among the best facilities of any racecourse in the country, something that the whole of the North West can be proud of."

While the new stand has all the latest facilities, significant features from Haydock Park's heritage have been retained including the historic staircase and fireplace of the former County Stand. It also includes improved bars and restaurants and a suite for annual badgeholders.

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