Dundalk Selects New Generation Polytrack for All-Weather Dundalk Stadium has announced the appointment of Martin Collins International Ltd., as suppliers of the first polytrack all-weather racetrack surface in Ireland. Jim Martin, Chief Executive of Dundalk Stadium said: 'Dundalk are pleased to announce that their all-weather track will be the New Generation Polytrack supplied by Martin Collins International Ltd. We are delighted to be working with a company with such vast experience of laying all-weather tracks. The 10-furlong oval racetrack will be completed in June 2007 and we have applied to Horse Racing Ireland for fixture dates commencing late August 2007'. Brian Kavanagh, Chief Executive of Horse Racing Ireland said: 'Dundalk's new all-weather racetrack will make history as Ireland's first all-weather track, our first floodlit racetrack and the first combined horse and greyhound racing facility. The new Polytrack gallop on the Curragh appears to have been well received by trainers, and Polytrack has operated effectively for some time on the all-weather tracks in the UK. It is a pleasure to now have the construction phase under way and to plan for the opening of our first all-weather track. The funding structures created by the Government for horse racing have given us the basis for long-term planning and enabled the creation of the Racecourse Capital Development Fund, which will see over ?110 million in HRI grant-aid allocated to racecourse projects in the coming years'. Commenting from the USA where surface installations are being completed by his company for Woodbine and Keenland Race Tracks, Martin Collins, Managing Director of Martin Collins International Ltd., said: 'We are delighted to have been appointed as surface suppliers to Ireland's first all-weather track at Dundalk Stadium. Having been installed as racetrack surfaces in the UK, the USA and Canada, our New Generation Polytrack is recognised as the best synthetic surface material in the world, and is designed to allow the horse to race and work to the best of its ability with the least risk of injury. I am convinced that Dundalk Stadium will be able to provide a facility for horse racing to match any track in the World'.
