Construction work is well underway at Randwick Racecourse as Sydney prepares to host World Youth Day 2008 (WYD08).
The iconic venue will host the final two events of WYD08 on Saturday 19 July and Sunday 20 July. Those events are the Evening Vigil (Saturday) and the Final Mass (Sunday morning) – both in the presence of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI.
More than 300,000 people will be accommodated within the racecourse for the Final Mass and a further 200,000 or more will participate from Centennial Park – united for the event as the Southern Cross Precinct.
WYD08 Chief Operating Officer Danny Casey said organisers were delighted with building progress and the final designs for the joint precinct.
“All our work at the precinct is progressing well and to plan. Attendees at the Vigil and Final Mass are in for a very special experience,” Mr Casey said.
“Everybody is welcome to attend and share in what will be two very memorable events,” he said.
WYD08 Director of Event Planning and Operations, Ian Steigrad, said workers have already built around 1300 of the 4000 toilets required for the precinct.
“The materials used – including the toilets themselves – will be re-used after WYD08. The toilets will be cleaned and shipped back to the manufacturer, while the melamine boarding will be reused locally,” Mr Steigrad said.
“They’re being built in blocks of 16 in the positions they’ll occupy during the events.
“All work is being carried out in accordance with our agreement to keep off the race tracks until mid-June; no construction is occurring on racing and training areas.
“We’re also working around the racing schedule to ensure training and competition continues during this phase of construction.
“The pace of construction will step up five weeks before the event when we get exclusive access to the site.”
Mr Steigrad said workers will also install 35 large video screens and more than 60 lighting towers throughout the precinct.
Mr Casey said the Holy Father will pass through the entire precinct on the morning of the Final Mass and communion will be distributed to all parts of the precinct.
Sydney will host the 23rd World Youth Day from 15-20 July. Hosted by the Catholic Church but open to all, it will also mark the Holy Father’s first visit to Australia.
