The renovation of the Male Jockey Room at Newcastle Jockey Club involved transforming the space beneath the Members Grandstand into a sleek, modern facility.

The scope included the installation of a new kitchen, bathroom facilities, showers, a spa room, laundry, media room, and dedicated jockey spaces, all designed to support the daily needs of professional riders.

Working with minimal detail on the existing drawings, the team had to adapt to on-site conditions and make critical decisions in real time. One of the major challenges was the programme, with only four weeks to complete the renovation ahead of a major race day, and reduced working hours due to horse training and trial days, careful planning and execution were essential. Compounding the complexity, the facility remained live throughout construction, requiring all work to be carried out with minimal disruption to the club’s operations.

A practical design modification was made to avoid cutting trenches into the existing concrete slab. Instead, a sanitary pump system was introduced to manage wastewater, allowing for a more efficient installation process without compromising the structural integrity of the space.

Despite the time constraints and operational challenges, the project was completed on schedule. The upgraded jockey room now provides a significantly improved environment, combining comfort and utility to meet the high standards of the Newcastle Jockey Club.