Permits in place, Golden Gate Fields plans to begin construction of its new Tapeta Footings racing surface July 23, track general manager Robert Hartman said Friday.

The track has an Oct. 12 move-in date, Hartman added, but officials would like to have the project completed before then. The next meeting at the Albany, Calif., racetrack begins Nov. 7. Officials had concerns that environmental groups would delay the project, but there was no challenge filed against the city’s issuance of permits more than two weeks ago.

During a meeting this week, horsemen were told they had to move out of the barn area — which stables about 1,000 horses — by July 22. Hartman said the process of relocating to training facilities at Vallejo’s Solano County Fair, Pleasanton’s Alameda County Fair, Santa Rosa’s Sonoma County Fair, and Bay Meadows has started.

“They were very positive (about plans),” Hartman said July 12. “I think they all understand the need for it. They have concerns, of course. Some of these trainers haven’t moved in 20 years, and you can imagine how much stuff accumulates in that amount of time.”

Golden Gate Fields is the fourth major track in the state to move to synthetic surface in compliance with a California Horse Racing Board safety mandate to replace natural dirt tracks at the state’s major Thoroughbred venues by 2008. Hollywood Park has installed Cushion Track at its Southern California facility and Santa Anita is beginning its project to install Cushion Track as well. Del Mar’s new Polytrack surface was tested successfully July 12 in anticipation of the summer season, which begins July 18 at the seaside track