Halcrow Stadium | |
Location: | Annan Road, Gretna, Scotland DG16 5DQ |
Coordinates: | 54.9977°N -3.0761°W |
Opened: | 1986 |
Closed: | 2017 |
Halcrow Stadium was a greyhound racing stadium in Annan Road, Gretna, Scotland[1]
The plans to build a new greyhound stadium on a ten-acre site, west of Gretna were first instigated in 1983. The name Halcrow derives from Jim Halcrow a well-known Shetland accordionist. The construction was started by James Norman and sons[2] as a replacement for the previous track at Raydale Park and the first race meeting took place in June 1986.[3]
The original circumference of the track was 416 metres.[2] Distances included 120, 300, 490 and 685 metres but later distances of 280 and 470 metres were used.[4] The stadium was forced to suspend some racing in the Summer of 1987 due to a shortage of racing greyhounds.[5]
The racing remained independent and was not controlled by the Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Amenities included several bars, a hospitality suite and function rooms for parties, weddings and traditional music events.[6]
The stadium was also used for occasional concerts.[7]
The track was closed in April 2017[8] and in 2021 was purchased by the Cunninghame Housing Association for the purposes of building new housing.[9]