LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Despite the rain and clouds that covered the track at Churchill Downs Friday, a bright future was taking shape in the background at 1 Central Avenue.
Construction crews continued work on a $200 million project to transform the paddock area at the track while horses trudged through the track on the opposing side of the grandstand.
The work must be finished before the week of Kentucky Derby 150.
“The nice thing about the construction project taking place on the other side of the grandstand as opposed to the racetrack, they can work six days a week when racing is going live, and that’s what’s occurring right now,” said Churchill Downs spokesperson Darren Rogers.
The work to develop the state-of-the-art paddock at Churchill Downs began well before Kentucky Derby 149, where a temporary paddock took its place. Following Derby 149, that paddock was removed and relocated to the first turn where it temporarily sits now.
When Churchill’s fall meet ends next Sunday, the current, temporary paddock will be removed, as work finishes on the new area.
“Right when you walk through the gates at Churchill Downs, you’ll see horses being saddled in the paddock,” said Rogers. “You’ve got seating for about 3,600 folks via the clubs, some patio, dining. It’s really going to be an awesome, new experience for Kentucky Derby 150.”
Following the end of the fall meet, crews will also reconfigure the Champions Plaza outside the gates and begin a $14 million project to redesign the Jockey Suites.
Churchill Downs said it is on pace to finish well before the week of Derby 150.
“The project should be ready sometime in mid-April where it’s handed over to us, and we can start preparing those final tweaks before we start the great celebration of Kentucky Derby 150,” Rogers said.
The track said popular week-of races like 502sday, Champions Day and Thurby will return along with the 150th running of the Kentucky Oaks and Derby.
Officials said plans are in place for more activities leading into Derby week, but that more information would be released at a later date.
“There’s going to be a lot of special activities each and every day,” Rogers hinted. “Stay tuned.”
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