Ellis Park is transferring ahead with an software for an extension facility in Owensboro, Ky., that may host historic horse racing gaming and simulcasting. The extension is estimated to supply an extra $6 million in purses per 12 months for the Henderson, Ky., monitor.
Tim Perkins, vice chairman and chief working officer of Laguna Growth Company and a member of the board of managers for Ellis Leisure, a subsidiary of LDC which purchased Ellis Park in 2019, laid out plans for the extension facility and different upgrades at Ellis Park throughout a videoconference assembly of the Kentucky Horse Racing Fee Oct. 26. Ellis Park already affords HHR on-site on the monitor.
The slot-like HHR gadgets, whose outcomes are based mostly on beforehand run horse races, have generated sizable income for racetracks and their properties within the state. A portion of their revenues fund purses.
Earlier within the assembly, the fee authorised licenses to conduct stay horse racing, simulcasting, and pari-mutuel wagering for 2022, which included Ellis Park’s request for a non-contiguous facility. That approval paves the best way for Ellis to finish an software for its extension.
Perkins stated Ellis will renovate a present construction for the extension facility. As soon as approval is given, which might come on the KHRC’s December assembly, it’s anticipated to take a couple of 12 months for the power to stand up and working. Ellis Leisure plans to take a position $16.7 million within the facility.
“The outcomes of the feasibility examine made it clear that our focused location that we had picked out can be the most effective use of funds permitting for the quickest velocity to operations,” Perkins stated. “It additionally supplies the most effective return on funding nearly instantly as a result of we’ll be renovating an present construction quite than doing a greenfield kind challenge. Our complete funding in Owensboro proper now’s focused at nearly $17 million.
“With over 60,000 sq. toes, we’ll initially supply 600 HHR items and likewise a strong simulcast space subsequent to a sports-themed bar and restaurant. The constructing’s in a superb location on Owensboro’s essential industrial strip and it has very quick access for visitors from all the surrounding communities. The challenge’s going to positively impression the native economic system and it’ll considerably enhance purses for the Kentucky racing product.
“We actually really feel that when it is accomplished, the Ellis Park Owensboro property can be one thing that Ellis Park, Owensboro, and the state of Kentucky can be pleased with.”
Perkins added that with the sq. footage, Ellis will be capable of “quickly convert to upward of 800 to 900 HHR items if wanted.” The ability is anticipated to carry over 100 new jobs to the native economic system and permit for continued capital expansions at Ellis.
Perkins and Ellis Park normal supervisor Jeff Inman additionally mentioned initiatives on the racetrack. Monitor lighting, which is presently in progress, is anticipated to be in use for the 2023 meet and can permit for twilight racing. Ellis Park may even widen its turf course by 20 toes and add a brand new tote board system; the enlargement of the turf course would require a four-acre pond for irrigation functions. The turf enlargement is not going to intrude with turf racing for the 2022 meet, Inman famous.
Different deliberate initiatives on the monitor Perkins talked about included horse wash stations to satisfy Ellis’ dedication to the Environmental Safety Company and forestall runoff into the Ohio River; a brand new HHR and simulcast monitoring system; a refresh of the winner’s circle and the paddock together with different curb-appeal initiatives; and improved meals and beverage product, which incorporates changing the Gardenia Room into the Dade Park Grill, which can be a full-service, three-meal restaurant, and including a full-service bar to the simulcast space.
The 2022 meet will mark the centennial of Ellis Park. Perkins stated as a way to honor the anniversary, subsequent summer season’s meet can be a summer-long celebration that may contain leisure together with promotional occasions.
Ellis Leisure has invested $3.52 million thus far in Ellis Park since buying the monitor two years in the past and plans to take a position $14.2 million for enhancements and upgrades.
