City Stadium, Norwich facts for kids

The City Stadium was a place in Norwich, England, where people watched greyhound racing. Greyhound racing is a sport where specially bred dogs, called greyhounds, race around a track chasing a fake lure. The stadium was an important part of the city's entertainment for many years.

Building the Stadium

City Stadium, Norwich around 1950

The City Stadium was built in 1939. It was located in the northern part of Norwich, near a large wooded area called Mousehold Heath. Many people lived in the nearby Sprowston area, making it a good spot for a new sports venue.

This stadium was not the first place in Norwich to host greyhound racing. Before it, there were other tracks like The Firs Stadium and Boundary Park Stadium.

Opening Day Fun

The City Stadium officially opened on July 25, 1939. This was just before World War II began. Despite the upcoming war, the opening day was a huge success!

Almost ten thousand people came to watch the races. Important people like Mr. B. Cannell and Mr. F. Pine helped open the stadium. They used a special electric system called a totalisator to show the betting odds. The very first race was won by a greyhound named Grangemore Lad.

What the Track Was Like

The City Stadium track was known for being quite small and fast. It was only 322 yards around, which was the smallest greyhound track in Britain at the time. The turns were well-banked, helping the dogs run smoothly.

To keep the track in perfect condition, it had an automatic watering system. This made sure the ground was always just right for racing.

Racing Details

Greyhounds raced over different distances at the stadium. These included 400, 555, and 715 yards. The dogs chased a special "trackless" lure system. This made it look like a real hare was running.

The stadium also had modern technology for its time. This included ray timing and a photo finish camera. These tools helped judges decide the exact winner of very close races.

Stadium Facilities

The main grandstand, where spectators sat, was along the home straight. It also had a club room for members. This club had a bar and a buffet.

There were two entrances and car parks for visitors. The racing kennels, where the dogs stayed on race days, were on the fourth bend. There were also 200 permanent kennels for the greyhounds that lived at the stadium. These kennels had large exercise areas for the dogs.

In 1962, after another local track closed, Arthur Rising became the Racing Manager at City Stadium. Racing took place on Tuesday and Saturday evenings.

The Stadium Closes

The closure of the City Stadium came as a big surprise to many. Racing was planned for Tuesday, August 10, 1971. However, the public was suddenly told that all future races were cancelled.

The stadium closed immediately. The last race meeting had taken place just a few days before, on Saturday, August 7, 1971. The land where the stadium stood was soon sold and redeveloped into new homes.

Track Records