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Philip Hill, Martine Hanna, Steven
McCormick, Julie Watson, Janet Traub and Stephen
Bogle enjoy a fun and entertaining evening of
greyhound racing at Drumbo Park. |
Ross Maize, Catherine Maize, Laura
Gormley and Luke Maize
relax at Drumbo Park,
Northern Ireland's new night out |
DRUMBO PARK, Northern Ireland's new greyhound
racing stadium, opened for business last Thursday following a �3
million investment by local businessmen.
The state of the art complex is at Lisburn
Distillery's ground at Ballyskeagh and replaces what used to be
the Ballyskeagh dog track.
Drumbo Park employs 120 full time and part
time staff and no expense has been spared in bringing greyhound
racing in Northern Ireland into the twenty-first century as the
venue boasts one hundred plasma television screens, tote booths
and bookies stalls, licensed restaurant facilities and a bistro
fronted by panoramic views of the track.
There will be races every Thursday, Friday
and Saturday evening and the venue will also be showing live
racing coverage from two of Ireland's leading tracks, Shelbourne
Park and Harold's Cross. Newcomers to the sport will also be
welcomed as the venue will be available for hosting corporate
entertainment, social gatherings and parties, or sporting club
outings.
Chief Executive John McCollum said: "I am
thrilled Drumbo Park is now open for business, especially as
this project has taken some years to come to fruition. I am
confident it is poised to play a very significant role as a
sporting and social venue for Thursday, Friday and Saturday
nights in Northern Ireland."
Brandywell stadium was the only greyhound stadium left in
Northern Ireland before Drumbo Park opened, but the situation is
vastly different in the Republic of Ireland where the
re-branding of greyhound racing as a social event has led to new
stadia being developed at Shelbourne Park, Harold's Cross, Cork,
Galway, Tralee, Lifford, Dundalk, Mullinger and Thurles while
major developments are planned for Limerick, Kilkenny, Clonmel
and Youghal
Gary
Campbell, Olivia Jackson,
Leanne Jones and Colin
Anderson from Hillsborough
hope to back a few winners
at Drumbo Park
Ulster Star
08/08/2008
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