YORK Racecourse is gearing up for the new season, starting on Wednesday, May 16, which will see the opening of a £5 million improvement scheme.

The grassed infield area running parallel to the final furlong of the track has been given a new name - The Clocktower Enclosure - after the listed building. It replaces the name Course Enclosure.

Main contractor, Lindum York, has built two large, modern toilet blocks at either end of the grass banking, twin canopies either side of the famous clocktower that offer catering and betting facilities as well as some racegoer cover, improved access for pushchairs and wheelchairs plus a refurbishment of the turnstiles.

A spokesman for the racecourse said the scheme has been an architectural challenge, with the need to preserve the near 100-year-old listed building itself whilst ensuring the new facilities are raised out of the flood plain, all in the context of both a heritage and green belt setting.

The area will retain its traditional atmosphere as a place where families and social groups can enjoy either their own picnics or locally sourced ‘good food to go’.

On race days, entrance prices for the Clocktower Enclosure still start at £5 for adults, rising to £12 for racing and music events or the Ebor Festival.

There are further concessions for over 65s and free entry for accompanied under-18 children on all race days.

The creation of safe pathways from the entry level of the area up to the top of the banking means that racegoers with pushchairs or wheelchairs will find it easier to take advantage of the elevated viewing of the final furlong.

Two new toilet blocks have been created at the northern and southern ends of the bank.

The Clocktower building remains the focal point of the area, with the stone block-work of the wall that sits below it, on the western face, being restored to the original vision of the architects from the late 1920s.

The steel canopy that was added in the 1950s shrouded this view and has been removed. As part of the reconfiguration, stone from the same County Durham seam has been used to form the curved walls of the new toilet blocks.

The scheme allows food and drinks to be served from kiosks set at the top of the bank.

Along with the betting facilities, these are covered by lightweight canopies similar to the ones already in use on the stands side.