Scone White Park Arena

The annual Scone Horse Festival has put historic town of Scone on the map as the Horse Capital of Australia, having carried this title for over 37 years. With the town’s White Park Recreation and Equine Facility Development currently underway, the Upper Hunter Shire Council turned to Felton to help prepare the facilities for this special event.

The White Park Arena was the product of years of thought and planning. Felton Industries Australia’s leading designer, manufacturer and supplier of quality outdoor furniture were involved in development of the White Park Recreation and Equine Facility Development from its initial concept. Working with the architects on the design, Felton provided consultation on the type of seating that would best compliment the spectacular new venue to be built.

When it was clear that grants for the White Park Arena had been successful, Felton’s status as a Local Government Provider meant that the team could move quickly without tendering, to utilise the grant funding that had been acquired to build the venue and meet the tight deadlines associated with it.

Stage 1 of the project featured multiple requirements including a 90 metre by 60 metre roof, lighting, irrigation and spectator seating. As seating was needed in time for the Scone Horse Festival running from the 4th to the 13th of May 2018, the White Park Management and Development committee contacted Felton Industries to provide a quick turnaround.

Felton Industries had recommended the Select Grandstand for the arena, one of their most popular spectator seating options. Constructed from premium Australian aluminium and designed to withstand sustained, heavy use, each Select Grandstand is stylish, durable and maintenance-free with seating for 40 people. A total of 39 Select Grandstands were needed for the Arena and 10 had to be installed in time to provide seating for spectators during the Scone Horse Festival. Timing was extremely tight, but thanks to their strong yet-simple-design, the 10 grandstands were installed on the day prior to the festival opening by two Felton Industries staff.

Internationally renowned horseman, Guy Maclean, entertained our installers as he prepared to perform the next day. Impressed with the quality of the Select Grandstands, Guy commented about them on his Facebook page. The Select Grandstands soon had many more opportunities to impress with the Scone Horse Festival followed in short order by the HTBA Inglis Yearling Sale, the Jack Johnson Memorial Gala Day and the State Title Farrier & Blacksmith Competition.

Phase 2 of the project involved the installation of the remaining grandstands which were delivered and installed by Felton Industries within one week. With inclusiveness at the core of all of Felton’s outdoor furniture, the Select Grandstands installed at White Park Arena include wheelchair settings that meet Australian Standard 1428 Design for Access and Mobility and ensure accessibility to the venue for all.

Felton Grandstands showcased at the Grand Opening of the White Park Arena in Scone