Caymans Track Limited chairman, William Chin See (second right), joined by board member Don Glanville (left) and chief Jamaica Racing Commission steward, Lloyd Cobran (third left), presents keys for a new ambulance to the St. John's Ambulance service crew. The new ambulance comes equipped with state-of-the-art features. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

RACING secretary Denzil Miller Jr. says work is 60 per cent completed on 20 of 70 new stalls due for delivery in the first year of redevelopment plans for Cayamanas Park.

In the wake of aborted divestment, Caymanas Track Limited (CTL) recently announced a three-year redevelopment plan, which is set to cost more than $340 million, a little over $81 million in the first year and $260.5 million over years two and three.

The stalls are being built as replacement for those adjacent to the official car park, which is set for expansion.

Acquisition of a new ambulance, which was high on CTL's agenda, became a reality recently when Chairman William Chin See recently handed over the keys of a unit to the crew from the St. John's Ambulance Service, the entity which has served Caymanas Park for more than three decades.

The ambulance, Miller said, was sourced from China through a local dealer.

"It will really improve our services on racedays," he noted, adding that the ambulance comes equipped withmodern, state-of-the-art features.

The physical appearance of the park is also being spruced up as patrons are now greeted by a renovated facade to the rear of the North Lounge.

In addition, the main entrance has been highlighted with a quartet of statues, featuring magnificent looking horses, a gift to the track from renowned horseman and president of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, Howard Hamilton.

Other noticeable changes on the race track itself are the replacement of decades-old furlong markers with modern and colourful posts.

The outer rails are awaiting import clearance to complete the job of replacing the entire circuit following those from the inner rail, which was done last summer.

"The shipment arrived last week from Simtrac in Australia and are awaiting clearance and we will start installation as soon as there are here," said Miller.

Also among CTL's plans is the installation of an elevator at a cost of $18 million.

Seating in the reserved area should run at $6 million and plans are afoot to purchase two garbage trucks in the first year as well.

The major expenditure expected over years two and three is the construction of a multistorey building, at a cost of $200 million, to accommodate private boxes, a restaurant, select businesses as well as a gaming and entertainment centre.