SALISBURY has undergone a £1million makeover during the winter but the new look unfortunately will not be ready for the opening of its 2005 season tomorrow.

The old tote building and cramped bar near the winning post in Members have been demolished to make way for a new building incorporating a new owners and trainers bar, two much-needed corporate entertaining suites and an open-terraced roof bar as well as improved betting facilities.

Course supremo Jeremy Martin explained: "That area was in desperate need of modernisation. It is within 50 yards of the winning post and is in a central part of the course. Work began two days after the abandoned meeting we took from Ascot in October and we had hoped the work would have been completed in time for tomorrow. Unfortunately it isn't. It was always a tight schedule and we have not quite managed it."

The new facilities should be in use at the course's next fixture later this month and will be officially opened at its meeting on June 23 by a racing legend.

"It's someone very well known - but no names!" said Martin.

He hopes it will mark the first stage in the course's upgrading with a major transformation of the dilapidated stand in Tattersalls.

"I would like to spend £185m like Ascot but obviously that will never happen and £1m represents a lot of money for us. Within two or three years we aim to redevelop that stand. It's structurally sound, although it's a mess,'' he said.

2004 will not remembered as the greatest year in Salisbury's illustrious history, with three days lost through waterlogging. And much needed drainage has been carried out in the winter to solve the problem.

More than £1m in prize money will be on offer this season, which includes £155,000 for the televised Cornwallis meeting in October. Salisbury will only be featuring the Saturday card this season with the Friday fixture transferred to Newbury.

The 16-days programme is highlighted by the 'Salisbury Splendour - Summer Festival' in August when the feature race will be the £60,0000 group three Totesport Sovereign Stakes.

The most remunerative race on the course's family day is the card-opening £20,000 betfair.com handicap over six furlongs, which is supported by the Delta Dancer & Catisfield Stud Fillies Stakes over five furlongs and the 12-furlong betfair.com handicap which carry £10,000 prize money.