A new grandstand will be the centrepiece of a €6.2 million redevelopement of Punchestown racecourse, with work taking place in two phases at the Kildare track.

Phase one will commence after next year’s Punchestown Festival at the end of April and will include the installation of a suspended ceiling finish to both grandstands, as well as the upgrading of facilities for both the public and racing staff.

Work on the new €3.8 million grandstand, which will replace the existing open stand close to the final fence, will start after the 2017 festival and conclude in March 2018.

The project has been approved for capital development grant aid of €2.5 million by the board of Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) and it is anticipated it will provide upwards of 80 direct and indirect jobs during the construction phase.

“Punchestown is the home of Irish jump racing and we are conscious that the venue must live up to such a title,” said Punchestown general manager Dick O’Sullivan.

“Through hard work and a dedicated team, we have continued to develop and grow the Irish National Hunt Festival despite some difficult years. The customer experience is paramount to maintain and grow attendances and now is the time to upgrade our facilities. With the support of our trustees, Kildare Hunt Club, sponsors, Horse Racing Ireland and of course our loyal customers we look forward with confidence to improving the facilities at Punchestown.”

Brian Kavanagh, chief executive of Horse Racing Ireland, said: "This is the third largest amount of grant aid allocated to a racecourse under HRI's current capital development programme and I am delighted that Punchestown's financial position has improved so significantly that they are now in a position to progress such a major schedule of works over the next two years. This reflects great credit on the Punchestown board and management team and its owners the Kildare Hunt Club."