TRACK MAINTENANCE / STADIUM INFO !

[flowerpot]

 Quite a lot going on .


Mick Hardy is concentrating all his team' s efforts in getting the meetings going again .

A lot of attention is on the actual track surface , we just had a huge delivery of fresh sand just a day or two ago ( all covered over )  and a lot of work going on by Flowerpot to remove all the overgrown turf that overlaps the actual hare rail track itself .

This is a helluva task but happily about 75 % ok so far  .

The  track is being regularly watered thoroughly to ensure its perfect for racing . I think the way the meetings were run previously with the restrictions , it will be quite similar to that but the parade will be more strung out with a lot more gaps , the trainers vans could be parked up in special squares in the main car park  .  

A lot of industrial cleaning has been going on all around the site but more so in the Paddock areas . I was asked to have a go at cleaning out the laundry room , a room I have never been in before and this was in a shocking state . How anyone was able to work in there is beyond belief  .

These are just the sort of places the new directors are going to be checking , it has to all be clinically clean and while the cleaning is far from over I am sure the Racing Manager will introduce measures to ensure it stays that way .

Various schemes and plans are being drawn up by MH to space out all staff in all areas , such as the pick up point  , stewards , hare and camera boxes , all very workable and ok in my view .  I am very optimistic that once we get going again we will get used to the new guidelines and we will all be fine .

I have persuaded MH to allow me to introduce a little bit of gardening here and there . Some members are getting rather alarmed at the state of all the lawns but MH has stated that the bowling green lawns are NOT a priority a comment that a wholly agree with . But he ok about a bit of strimming and some lawn cutting although on a very limited basis .

In my view once we are running okay , after about three or four weeks I am confident MH will then want all the lawns cutting especially the ten trackside areas .

If I am not mistaken Arc have clinched a deal to have our Bags meetings shown in Nigeria and we could be running a Bags on a Saturday . So our trackside areas are shown across the world and we have to make sure that Belle Vue Greyhound Racing is as good a show as we can see !!

[BVADMIN]

Many thanks for the update 'flowerpot'

[GRUNDY]

At long last some positive news coming out of the stadium.

Cheers Roy

[johncox]

good news, thank`s for the update roy..

[benny]

THE TRACK has got faster and better over the past two years, there are more good pups coming to the fore and doing better times.its because the track is better looked after and prepared by the staff, so many thanks and keep up the good work someday these young pups will be recognized.for what they are.better class./

[SALFORD GIRL]

Thanks for posting up Roy and keeping us all up to speed.

I know the Belle Vue General Manager has been in contact with his trainers via email but it's great that you are keeping us greyhound owners also in the loop.

Thanks again Norma.

[johnlamb41]

Thanx Roy keep up the good work

[topcat]

[BVADMIN]

MONDAY 4-5-20
www.gbgb.org.uk/gbgb-operational-policy-released-ahead-of-a-phased-return-to-racing/

GBGB Operational Policy Released Ahead
of a Phased Return to Racing...

GBGB is today releasing an Operational Policy which would see a five-phase approach to a resumption of ‘behind closed doors’ greyhound racing as soon as the current government restrictions can be relaxed.

The Operational Policy is the culmination of considerable planning and consultation through an industry-led working group that has sought to balance the necessary requirements for health and safety with safeguarding greyhound welfare and the sport’s integrity.

The comprehensive Policy sets out five phases, which will each last at least two weeks, as follows:


Phase 1– Trial meetings only behind closed doors

Phase 2– Resumption of racing behind closed doors (a maximum of ten races at a minimum of 30 minutes’ gap between races)

Phase 3– Racing behind closed doors (a maximum of twelve races at a minimum of 25 minutes’ gap between races)

Phase 4– Racing behind closed doors (no limit on the number of races but a minimum of 20 minutes’ gap between races)

Phase 5– Return to normality (subject to government guidance on social distancing and public gatherings)

Each phase would be subject to the strict controls as set out in the Operational Policy and up-to-date government guidance. The Policy will be updated as appropriate in line with any future changes to the government’s advice and direction.

Commenting on the release of the Operational Policy, Managing Director of GBGB Mark Bird said:

“Throughout the cessation of racing, we have been actively preparing for the time when the government feels able to ease some of the restrictions of this ‘lockdown’ period. For several weeks now, our dedicated working group has worked tirelessly to ensure that every possible consideration is made towards enabling a safe, effective and phased resumption of greyhound racing under the government guidance available.

“It will be clear to all in viewing the Operational Policy just how much time and energy has gone into this work and I am very grateful to everyone who has been involved in the consultation process. In everything that is being set out, our priorities have been to find a way forward that safeguards the health of every person involved in greyhound racing, and of the country more widely, whilst retaining our high levels of welfare and integrity.

“As the sport’s regulator, we continue to be led by what is in the best interests of the greyhounds at the heart of our sport. We all recognise that a rapid return to some form of racing is the right course of action – not only because of the financial impact on trainers and owners, but because of the physiological needs of greyhounds as canine athletes. However, we have been vocal throughout that it would be irresponsible to seek to resume racing without taking the time to prepare fully and adopt all the appropriate health and safety protocols.

“This Operational Policy therefore presents an effective means for phasing in a return to greyhound racing – prioritising in the first instance graded races to support the vast majority of greyhounds and with the minimum amount of movement between racecourses. We have incorporated strict controls for monitoring and validating the hygiene and social distancing measures in place so that, at each stage, we can be sure of their success. We are confident that the process we are proposing gives us the best chance of progressing quickly and safely through the phases to an eventual resumption of normal racing activity, albeit behind closed doors.

“We have now shared our plans with colleagues at DCMS and DEFRA, in advance of the government announcements expected later this week on changes to the current ‘lockdown’ period. Subject to this update, we hope to be able to begin Phase 1 – behind closed doors trials – as early as Monday 18thMay. At the very least, with the release of this Operational Policy, we want to give racecourses, trainers, kennel staff and owners the information they need to begin preparations to return to racing behind closed doors.

“During this difficult time, we appreciate the financial burden, worries and concerns of trainers, owners and racecourses and are thankful for the sport’s patience and understanding as we do our best to deliver for you all and for your greyhounds. This Policy provides the firm foundations for the return to racing that we all want and demonstrates how, with everyone’s support and cooperation, we can do so safely and successfully in short order.”

The Operational Policy can be found below....
s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/gbgb-prod-assets/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/04165402/GBGB-Covid-19-Operational-Policy-as-of-040520.pdf

[SALFORD GIRL]

TUESDAY 5/5/20::

It's a good plan what the GBGB have set up.

Of course there will be a lot of pressure put on the staff / trainers in order to make things work but i'm sure we will be OK down at the ZOO when trials begin.