Keeneland plans $93 million renovation: New seating, dining and visitors center
Keeneland, Lexington’s thoroughbred racetrack, is planning a $93 million expansion, including new permanent seating and dining areas and a visitors center for the first time.
The track at 4201 Versailles Road plans to build a new Paddock Building that will wrap around the Keeneland Paddock and Walking Ring, with more viewing and dining options for the public.
“Keeneland’s founding mission is to be a model racetrack, to invest in the future of our sport, to enrich our Central Kentucky community and to always do what is best for the horse,” Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin said. “This project is central to our mission because it will allow us to welcome more fans and give them a variety of world-class experiences during our race meets and beyond. The improvements to our saddling processes are not only functional in providing more space for horses and horsemen, but the results will offer unobstructed views to showcase the beauty and pageantry of our equine and human athletes.”
It’s the largest capital project undertaken since the track opened in 1936 and it’s the first major construction since the Keeneland Library was built in 2002. The design by global firm Populous preserves the track’s signature stonework.
What will change at Keeneland
The track plans to reposition its saddling stalls and jockeys quarters, according to the news release.
Keeneland has applied for permits with the city of Lexington to build a 5,400-square-foot visitors center in an existing pony barn off Keeneland Boulevard opposite the Keene Barn, library and a stone house.
The Kentucky Tourism Development Finance Authority on Wednesday gave preliminary approval for up to $23.3 million in economic incentives for the project, according to a news release from the track.
“Keeneland is a historic destination for our local families and travelers, and this exciting investment will create more opportunities for everyone to enjoy, while boosting our signature horse racing industry and Kentucky’s $12.9 billion tourism industry,” said Gov. Andy Beshear in the release. “The horse racing industry is as indispensable to our economy as it is to our culture, and after a record-breaking year for tourism in 2022, leaders like Keeneland are going to help ensure Kentucky’s success continues for years to come.”
Keeneland hopes to break ground in January 2024 and be finished in time for the 2025 Fall Meet. Racing and sales will continue at full capacity during construction.
More announcements are expected, Keeneland said.
“This exciting project will be the first in a number of enhancements to our trackside experience, sales facilities and the backstretch community,” Arvin said. “This is an investment in the advancement of Keeneland’s mission: to strengthen our industry and the future of our sport for generations to come.”
Keeneland plans to build a permanent paddock chalet. The three-story building will replace a temporary structure and the current track offices and jockeys quarters. Once completed, jockeys will walk directly through the venue before each race, according to the release.
The Paddock Building will extend the entire length of the paddock and connect with the existing clubhouse. It will have sit-down dining, new bar concepts, expanded viewing and more.
The new building will establish a new East Gate and align with Keeneland Boulevard; the area around the historic sycamore tree in Keeneland’s paddock will be enlarged.
Keeneland has submitted a letter to the Lexington planning authorities for a conditional use permit from the city’s Board of Adjustment.
According to the application letter, the chalet will have “over 100,000 square feet of space and capacity to host up to 1,657 additional guests each day with dining and beverage options, event spaces, usable rooftop space overlooking the paddocks and serve as a main public entrance to the racetrack.”
“Keeneland is planning to expand its offerings so that it may better meet demand for access during the race meets that will continue to drive increased visitorship to Lexington by patrons from all over the world each spring and fall; and, to better accommodate events and touring visitors throughout the year,” according to the letter submitted by attorney Nick Nicholson.
Visitors experience, rooftop space, new venues
The proposal does not mention any area specifically for sports wagering, which was approved for tracks earlier this year.
According to the permit application submitted to the BOA, Keeneland plans to develop “a state-of-the-art visitor experience, including interactive opportunities for visitors to learn more about the horse and our sport.”
Track offices to move
To accommodate the Paddock Building, the track will relocate its existing administrative operations into a new building; this will free up more space for visitors within the trackside grandstands as well, according to the application. The new offices will be built in what is now a parking lot opposite the sales pavilion.
Keeneland frequently hosts more than 20,000 fans on race days, with special events such as the Breeders’ Cup World Championships drawing more than 30,000.
The track’s annual horse auctions attract visitors from all over the globe to purchase thoroughbreds for racing and breeding, sometimes selling for millions of dollars.
This story was originally published October 18, 2023 at 1:14 PM.
