Lexington’s Keeneland racetrack will undergo major renovations to help address capacity issues starting early next year.
That includes the construction of a new building next to the track’s paddock to allow for expanded seating and viewing. Amenities like dining, bars and a panoramic rooftop will also be added.
“Our mission at Keeneland since 1936 has been to be a model racetrack and to perpetuate the very best of our sport,” Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin said. “And we sell out in about 15 minutes of public seating. So we realized we had a supply and demand issue.”
An operations building for employees and a visitors’ center are also in the works. The total cost of renovations is expected to be $93 million.
Arvin says a main reason for the renovations is to make the horses and jockeys more accessible to the public. The paddock’s saddling stalls will be relocated closer to the entrance so fans can get a first-hand glimpse at the racers.
“We feel strongly, and have since 1936, that if you get people close to the horse, the rest takes care of itself,” Arvin said. “So that's definitely an aspect of the project that we're excited about, letting more fans have more visibility to the horses and the ecosystem of care around the horses.”
The renovation process will start mid-January and is expected to finish in the fall of 2025. Arvin says construction isn’t expected to affect any race meets.
