Old Race course, once a land mark site in Colombo had been neglected for a long time. This was first officially opened for race horsing in 1893 it was considered the best in terms of design, facilities, and size in the East. In 1922 it became the first race course in the East to be fixed with a Totalizator, a tremendous technological achievement of that time.
Later on during World War II a temporary airfield was constructed at the Colombo Racecourse by the Royal Air Force (RAF). The Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy was also based at the Colombo racecourse. Thereafter Sri Lanka Air Force used the discarded racecourse grounds for landing transport helicopters and the Sri Lanka Army has used the racecourse buildings as a temporary garrison from time to time furthermore some of the buildings were used by University Of Colombo.
With time it lost its past glory with only state functions and ceremonies were held from time to time. Gradually the place was neglected and it became an eyesore in the Colombo's changing skyline. This 27 acre prime land in Cinnamon Gardens in Colombo had been abandoned for nearly half a century.
OLD RACE COURSE
This project is a brainchild of His Excellency the President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Under the Colombo modernization and beatification project the renovation the Race Course was taken up and under the perview of Secretary Defence and Urban Development Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa plans were draw up and the Urban Development Authority along with the Sri Lanka Army was entrusted with the work. Thus the modernization of the old Colonial relic became a reality. Army's 6th Engineer Services Regiment and Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau completed the project while preserving the original architectural features. The racecourse was renovated under phase five of Independent Avenue development project. The renovated was carried out with a cost of 125 million rupees and no doubt it would be a center tourist attraction of Colombo.
Completed with retaining its historic importance and architectural uniqueness, the new refurbished Race Course mini stand is comprised of a pavilion, restaurants, a stationary shop, dress boutiques, sports shops, and handy crafts and gifts shops.
SOURCE: http://www.news.lk/news/sri-lanka/3467-modernized-colombo-racecourse-open-for-public
