CATTERICK RACECOURSE OWNERS AND TRAINERS FACILITY

Client – Catterick Racecourse Limited

The new building known as “The Dales Stand” provides hospitality facilities for the North Yorkshire racecourse at Catterick Bridge and replaces a smaller Tote building which was no longer fit for purpose. The new facility is a multi-functional building which on race days provides facilities for visiting owners, trainers, and jockeys and on non-race days provides space for private functions and events, with a large open bar on the ground floor and a restaurant on the upper first floor.

Situated with the parade ring on the paddock side and just beyond the finish line on the racecourse side the building is ideally situated. The building offers excellent views towards the racecourse and north over the parade ring from its viewing balconies on both sides of the building.

RIBA AWARD NOMINATION

The scheme was designed by Hexham based consultants Elliott Architects. And was shortlisted for an RIBA Yorkshire award in 2024. Lynsey Elliott commented: –

“A key element of the design was to maximise visibility of the wider site from the building and to utilise the dual aspect towards the parade ring and racecourse. The pitches of the roof, structural grid and internal bays all add to the sense of connection of views and movement, combining with the covered external areas to create a welcoming, permeable, and open feel to the building.

The form and geometry of the design take influence from the historic structures around the site, including the multi-pitched gables of the Grade II Catterick Bridge Hotel and the adjacent late-Victorian grandstand. Using a traditional roof form in a new way creates a sophisticated solution which is respectful of context whilst adding a contemporary character to the site.
The covered balconies to the south allow use during inclement weather and give excellent views across the course, particularly of the home straight and winning post. They give the elevation depth and combined with the undulating roof are a key element of the design which lend the building its distinctive character whilst also animating the trackside atmosphere on race days.

This is also the case at ground floor, where an external terrace makes use of the southern aspect down the home straight, and to the north the structure creates a colonnade to provide shelter and a spill out space from the bar along with good views of the parade ring and winners presentation area.

Dales Stand fits into the overall horizontality of the context, and also adds a finer grain of verticality (roofs, balconies, windows and structure); this creates rhythm, with the roof form reminiscent of the path of a horse jumping a hurdle and the movement and angle of the horses legs to create a sense of activity, movement and fun.”

MODERN AND TRADITONAL

The building provides a great combination of both modern and traditional construction methods. A steel frame on concrete foundations provides the structure for an envelope which combines both contemporary and traditional materials.

The ground floor of the building constructed with traditional brickwork with a contemporary twist. White bricks and black mortar provide a striking contrast to the timber clad upper floor and copper rainwater downpipes. A roof is a traditionally crafted standing seam roof, steeply pitched and finished in copper offering a high-quality and striking finish.
Large windows, curtain walling and large opening doors to viewing terraces provide a modern feature and give the building a light and airy feel with excellent views across the track and paddock.

Internally the facility provides a new kitchen, toilets, ground floor bar and first floor restaurant along external viewing terraces with finishes to provide a modern and contemporary feel.