Harold’s Cross Greyhound Stadium has closed with immediate effect, the Irish Greyhound Board (IGB) today confirmed.
Racing activites will now be expanded at Shelbourne Park which has twice the capacity of the Harold's Cross arena. Their will now be four nights of racing at the venue and all 12 staff who were based at Harold's Cross will be offered redeployment by the IGB.
Entrance to Harold's Cross Greyhound Stadium. Image: ©INPHO/James Crombie
Speaking at the announcement, interim CEO of the IGB, Dr Sean Brady expressed "regret that this unavoidable action has to be implemented at this time but the sale of Harold’s Cross is absolutely essential in order to address the enormous debt IGB faces.
"However, it is necessary to preserve the greyhound industry and begin a process of recovery. This will see change and an improvement in how IGB operates and performs which will become more evident in the years ahead. We are committed to making Shelbourne Park perform excellently for all Trainers, Owners, Patrons and Staff, especially for those for whom Harolds Cross was their greyhound home.
"This will be challenging for all of us but there is a need for all stakeholders to leave aside disagreement and work together through a process of change and opportunity from which improved performance can be extracted,” he added.
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