Staff report
Turfway Park officials unveiled a $25 million grandstand renovation which would become reality when the track adds historical racing games.
The plan was presented to the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission meeting on Tuesday by Turfway general manager Chip Bach.
Bach said that structural issues with the facility were discovered once the track had approval for the historical racing games.
Those issues, he said, had to be addressed before the track moved ahead with plans for the additional gaming, though he didn’t commit to a timetable.
The plans call for a revamped entrance that would made the current second floor the entry way. One side of the second floor would be devoted to historical racing and a new simulcast area would be on the other side. Historical racing games look like slot machines but payouts are made on previously run horse races.
Bach assured the commission that JACK Entertainment is “very interested” in the project and has recently spent $10.5 million to move it forward.
Turfway is one of only two tracks, including Churchill Downs, that does not have historical racing. Churchill is planning to open such a facility this year at its Trackside training center.
