DISABLED FACILITIES
Admission Charges
There are no discounts for disabled racegoers (click here for entrance charges).
However, if a disability requires a racegoer to be accompanied to, and at the races, by a carer then one complimentary admission will be provided for the carer at the entrance on the day.
Disabled Facilities at the Racecourse.
1. General Accessibility - Ramps
The Enclosures at Pontefract are on a pronounced slope which means that there is good all round visibility but this does provide some obstacles for those with mobility difficulties:-
(a)Entrances
There are no steps at the Premier Stand Entrance.
There is a shallow step and a narrow exit from the Grandstand & Paddock entrance, however the Main Gate adjacent to the Grandstand & Paddock Entrance affords a step free entrance and is manned.
The Silver Enclosure entrance has directions for disabled access.
The Picnic Enclosure is open to cars at a charge and has a step free entrance.
It is possible to Transfer "up" from any Enclosure.
Parties should contact the Secretary's Office in advance. Arrangements can be made for Mini-buses to enter any Enclosure to unload.
(b)Internal Movement round Enclosures
There is a step free access along the back of both Main Stands which connects all Enclosures.
There are step free tarmac paths from the back of all Stands to the viewing lawns and to and from the Parade Ring and Unsaddling Enclosure in the Paddock Enclosure.
2. Main Stand - Premier Enclosure Area
The Premier Enclosure section of the Main Stand was extended and altered in 1990 and special attention was paid to the movement of wheelchairs.
There are step free accesses from the Grandstand & Paddock Enclosure to the Premier Enclosure and, using the Doors to the Telephone Foyer (opposite the Premier Stand Entrance to the Course), there is a step free access to the Stand itself.
There is a Lift to the First Floor adjacent to the Main Staircase.
3. Main Stand - Grandstand & Paddock Area
The Paddock section of the Main Stand was extended and altered in 1994 and special attention was again paid to the movement of wheelchairs.
There are step free accesses to the Ground Floor but there is no Lift to the Second Floor. Anyone wishing to access the First Floor of the Grandstand & Paddock Stand should go to the Secretary’s Office where staff will be pleased to help.
4. Dalby Stand - Comprising Champagne Bar (Ground Floor) in the Premier Enclosure and Private Boxes (1st and 2nd Floor).
Built in 1995, there is a step free access to the Ground Floor and a Lift to the First and Second Floor Boxes. The lift in the Dalby Stand is for use by those with private facilities.
5. Silver Stand
The Silver Stand was refurbished in 1998. There are ramped accesses to Ground Floor Facilities from the rear accessway. There is no lift to the First Floor.
6. Picnic - Car Park - Enclosure
The public may take cars into the Picnic Enclosure. A charge is made for the car including up to 4 adults.
7. Viewing
There are:-
Specially reserved viewing areas against the running rail in all enclosures.
Specially reserved viewing areas at First Floor Level in the Premier and Grandstand & Paddock enclosures.
8. Toilets
There are Unisex Disabled Toilets on the Ground Floor in all enclosures.
9. Disabled Access and Facilities for Owners
1) Disabled Owners should NOT follow the signs to the O&T Car Park. They should follow the signs to the “members” car park but keep going straight towards the stand.
2) There is a dedicated staffed car parking area for disabled customers adjacent to the Main Entrance.
3) Enter through the Premier Stand Entrance (on the ground floor of the Dalby Stand). This has a PASS entry point at ground level and a step free entrance to the course.
4) The Owners and Trainers Bar is on ground floor of the Park Suite and has a level access.
5) There are three access points to the Parade Ring which are “step-free”. Disabled owners also have a step free access to the saddling boxes should they wish to see their horses being saddled up.
6) The Park Suite has dedicated tables for Owners and Trainers and this is accessible via a lift in the Premier Stand.
7) Wheelchair viewing ramps are provided in all enclosures against the running rails.
8) Viewing platforms are provided in the Premier Stand at 1st floor level adjacent to the lift.
9) Disabled toilets are available in all enclosures.
