James Brennan says there is room to expand the Melrose Stand

York Racecourse will have £1.5m spent on it this winter in order to revamp one of the main stands.

The Melrose Stand built in 1989, used mainly by the horse owners and trainers, is to be updated.

Officials are hoping the changes will improve their view of the weighing room and the racetrack.

York's marketing manager James Brennan told BBC Radio York: "We can make better use of the space to improve the experience of going racing at York."

Brennan said with more owners now involved after an increase in syndicate ownership in the sport, the Melrose Stand would benefit from more space.

"What we want to do is make better use of the space we've got already in what's a popular stand ideally located with a view of the track, the parade ring and the weighing room," he said.

"The first and second floors we think we can make better use of subject to the final planning permission being granted.

"The existing first floor is already the owners and trainers club. They're obviously a very important part of the whole racing experience so we want to improve their facilities, improve their dining facilities to make the club space a little bit bigger and better for them.

"And on the second floor again create an indoor glazed space that we'll be able to do a range of different things, with making better use of what currently is some rather under used space.

"The original stand would have been designed to face what was then the winners enclosure which was then in front of the weighing room - that moved in 1999.

"The money in part is coming from the levy board who have a capital projects fund so we're able to have access to that.

"But we think it's right to keep investing, to keep going forward so the stand will be a benefit to us well past its existing 20 years."

Brennan said they hope to have the work done by May 2010 so it will not impact on the racing season.

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