Olympic arena surface used at Greenwich for sale
Fancy resurfacing your arena or gallops with an Olympic-grade surface or Polytrak? Then bargains may be had – but you need to move fast.
The 10,000tonnes of Andrews Bowen surface used during the Olympics at Greenwich is being sold off after the Games.
And Lingfield racecourse is selling off its Martin Collins surface in September.
Andrews Bowen and Lingfield say they have had a large number of enquiries already, so anyone hoping to invest needs to be quick.
Speaking before the first day of the equestrian competition at Greenwich, David Andrews of Andrews Bowen said: “We have two surfaces at Greenwich, our Prowax surface and the 2012, which we developed for the Games and have used in the main arena.
“We have had a lot of interest from people who want to buy what will be an almost brand-new surface, but some is left.”
Both surfaces will cost £100 per tonne second-hand.
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The 2012 surface – which FEI expert Professor Lars Roepstorff described as the “most consistent” he has ever tested – will be added to the Andrews Bowen range.
Mr Andrews said he was not concerned that selling the second-hand surface would have an impact on new orders.
The other used surface on the market is 9,000tonnes of Martin Collins Polytrak installed at Lingfield Park in 2001.
The all-weather track is getting a new Polytrak surface – costing around £3million – so the 11-year-old track, which could also be used in an arena, is being sold off.
Lingfield spokesman Kate Hills said: “A significant portion will be used on gallops and schools locally, but we are still looking for buyers for the remainder.”
She said it will cost around £40 plus vat per tonne, with discounts for quantity.
“The surface is still in super condition,” added Ms Hills.
Martin Collins said: “We were obviously aware that there would be an increase in second-hand material on the market around September.
“However, new sales don’t appear to be adversely affected. We have increased production at our Lambourn and Cheshire plants to meet demand.”
If you are interested in buying either surface, contact Lingfield racecourse, tel: 01342 834800 or Andrews Bowen, tel: 01995 672103.
This news story was first published in the current issue of H&H (10 August 2012)
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A self-confessed newshound, farmer’s daughter and journalist of many years' experience, Charlotte worked on regional papers before joining H&H in 2007. A regular rider, she visited Ireland in 2010 to investigate the fate of Irish horses through the recession, to much acclaim, and reported from the FEI General Assembly in Rio de Janeiro in 2011. She left Horse & Hound in March 2013.