Lexington, Ky. – The Trackside Chalet, the first three-story luxury chalet to be used at a sporting event in North America, and tiered Loge Boxes rising from the first floor Grandstand highlight the construction that continues as Keeneland prepares its campus for the 2015 Breeders’ Cup World Championships, to be held Oct. 30-31.
These and other temporary facilities will provide premium seating for 10,000 fans for the Breeders’ Cup.
“We are delighted with the progress made thus far in the construction of these state-of-the-art facilities for our worldwide fans and horsemen attending this year’s Breeders’ Cup.” said Craig Fravel, Breeders’ Cup President and CEO. “The entire project team, the Colonnade Group, Keeneland and Breeders’ Cup, have worked meticulously on the enhancements to the venue in ensuring a first-class experience for all attending.”
Framing is nearly complete for the three-story Trackside Chalet, where 18 private suites will offer sweeping views of the race track from its location on the Clubhouse turn. The Trackside Chalet is part of a village of five luxury chalets that includes a two-story Trackside Chalet, which features 17 private suites, two Clubhouse Lawn Chalets and the Maker’s Mark Bourbon Lounge.
Construction of 217 tiered Loge Boxes, which will elevate from the first floor Grandstand to just below the permanent box area, began last week.
Seating in the Clubhouse Lawn Chalets, Saddling Paddock Chalet and Loge Boxes will be available to guests during the upcoming Fall Meet, Oct. 2-24. Tickets for those areas are currently on sale via Keeneland.com.
Among the other projects underway as Keeneland prepares for Breeders’ Cup are:
- Four oak trees have been planted in the Saddling Paddock. The largest tree stands nearly 40 feet tall and weighs 30,000 pounds (photos and video of trees being hoisted by crane into the Paddock is available on the FTP site).
- The Trackside Breakfast Marquee that will host Breeders’ Cup participants and VIPs each morning of Breeders’ Cup week is taking shape between the north end of the Grandstand and the Racing Office.
- Installation of roof and wall enclosures, doors and viewing balconies has been completed on the Saddling Paddock Chalet, which seats 547 people and runs the entire length of the Saddling Paddock
- The horse path in front of the stone saddling stalls at the north end of the Saddling Paddock has been enlarged and an additional saddling ring is being created. Both paths feature rubber pavers.
- A new Polytrack surface is being laid on the five-furlong Training Track. The old Polytrack has been removed and maintenance is being performed on the asphalt base and existing drainage system. A new layer of Polytrack, formerly used in the 4½- and seven-furlong chutes of the main track, will be installed.
- The barns on Rice Road, where the Breeders’ Cup horses will be stabled, are being equipped with new data and wireless systems, and
- The Paddock Garden surrounding the Paddock area has been repaved.
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