The Marsa racetrack is undergoing a refurbishing programme which is expected to be completed by next Sunday, when the opening race programme is to be held.

Conducting a tour of the track yesterday morning, Marco Millo, projects manager of the Malta Racing Club Council, told the Parliamentary Secretary for Sport, Clyde Puli, and the press, that such an overhaul had long been overdue.

He said the improvements consisted of several features, but the main project was the track itself which is now covered with specially selected sand brought over from Montenegro, on the advice of some experts in this sector. He added: "After several years using open sand, the need has now been felt to make a change and we opted to give the track a completely new image which should be to the liking of all horse-racing enthusiasts. The new sand is mixed with rubber to provide a softer surface which should, when totally finished, be to the satisfaction of the horses and their owners. Apart from the track. The original track was removed (about four inches of gravel) and it was re-built from scratch. There is now a four-inch surface of new brown sand which should last between three and four years."

Millo added that an iron fence had also been erected for the safety of the spectators themselves, while shrubs which will, in future, grow into a hedge, close to the iron fence, have also been planted for the safety of the horses.

Dr Matthew Brincat, chairman of the Malta Racing Club, told those present that part of the fence would open onto the track to allow winners to enter close to the fans after the presentation ceremony, when the occasion warrants.

Millo also said that a restaurant of a certain level was also being built on the terraces on the request of the public.

Dr Brincat also said that another new feature was the introduction of a safety track along the main track. It will be used by those horses who are disqualified for changing pace.

Among the new amenities are a new ramp for the use of horses before being brought on the track on race day. He added: "It is made of rubber which is thicker than that used for tennis courts or football pitches. In fact, it is similar to those to be found at the famous Vincennes race track in France," he said.

The MRC chairman also said that a new plastic railing had been installed near the paddock area. "This divides the paddock from the track and also provides more safety for the horses," he added.

These improvements had been approved by the Parliamentary Secretariat for Sports and the PS himself, Clyde Puli, told the press that the sum of 150,000 euro, hailing from several government entities, was spent to refurbish the track. Later it was also disclosed that the Racing Club itself also contributed around 50,000 euro towards the project, which should be followed by other projects in future.

Addressing the press, Puli thanked the MRC Council and the enthusiasts for their involvement in the works that have been going on in the summer months.

Puli praised the MRC Council which had the courage to take certain difficult decisions. "I insist on discipline - we have to see that sport is practised on ethical principles," he said.

He said the race track project was perhaps the sowing of the seed in the progress that has to be done at Marsa, where he believes there is a lot of potential.

It was here that he revealed that the Master Plan for the Marsa sports grounds had been finalised and was now awaiting the approval of MEPA. "We hope that by next week, the consultation process will start.

"It is not only the race track that needs an upgrade. The old part that includes the pitches, as well as all the government facilities, apart from the athletics track and the golf course, all need to be upgraded. We have to make better use of these facilities which are at our disposal," he added.

The Parliamentary Secretary also stated that the national swimming pool at Tal-Qroqq needed some attention and will have to be closed for a period of days. "Seven filters have to be replaced after they have been in use since 1993. Also, there is perhaps the need to replace a few tiles," he said.