NYRA unveils improvements at tracks to enhance guest
experience
At Wednesday’s regularly scheduled meeting of the New York
Racing Association (NYRA) Reorganization board in New York City, NYRA CEO
and President Chris Kay outlined a series of enhancements at Belmont Park,
Saratoga and Aqueduct designed to improve the on-track
guest experience at all three facilities.
The guest-experience-related enhancements were identified
based on feedback from guests as well as internal assessments of each facility.
The vast majority of the improvements will have been completed prior to the next
opening day of each racetrack.
“We want our guests to have a great experience when they
visit any of our three racing venues,” Kay remarked. “The actions we are taking are
intended to improve that experience for all of our loyal fans and bettors.”
Kay said admission prices to Belmont and Saratoga are expected to be announced shortly, pending final conclusions from a
consulting firm tasked with conducting market research on changes previously
approved at the December board meeting. The board heard additional reports from Chair David J. Skorton and Chief Financial Officer Susanne Stover.
The board also heard reports from the Audit and Compliance
Committee, the Finance Committee, the Equine Safety Committee, the Racing
Committee and the Long Term Planning Committee. Elected to the Racing Committee were Joseph Spinelli and
Stuart Subotnick. In addition, the board voted to approve the minutes of the
board meeting held on December 4.
All materials discussed and reviewed during the Board’s
meetings, replays of past meetings, and a list of Board members are available
by clicking
here.
The guest-focused capital improvements at the three
NYRA facilities include:
Belmont Park
High Definition (HD) televisions — A total of 131 new HD
televisions will be installed throughout all four levels of the facility prior
to Belmont’s 2014 opening day on May 1. New HD screens (or self-service wagering
terminals) will also be installed in second-floor box seats for improved viewing
of live and simulcast racing. Including the 524 new HD televisions that have
been added in the last few years, a total of 655 new HD TVs will have been
installed.
Belmont Café — The dining and wagering area, open all year,
on the first floor of the clubhouse will be modernized with new tables and
chairs and other enhancements.
Backyard music stage — The popular backyard area will
feature a new stage for concerts and other events during live race meets.
Paddock concession stand — A new concession stand will be
constructed adjacent to Belmont’s paddock offering food and
beverages and a patio seating area. (Expected time of completion is fall 2014)
Paddock video board — A new 8′ by 15′ video display wall
will be installed by the paddock walking ring offering guests throughout the
paddock area enhanced, HD picture quality.
Top of the Stretch picnic area — The popular trackside area
will be expanded with two additional sections affording guests the opportunity
to picnic all afternoon long and watch the races up close.
Saratoga
HD televisions — Approximately 750 new HD televisions,
ranging in size from 19″-70″, will be installed throughout the facility. Some
500 of the new TVs will be placed in the popular backyard area and in exterior
grounds near the grandstand and clubhouse. The other 250 televisions will be
installed within the interior of the grandstand/clubhouse, including all dining,
bar and mutuel areas. Clubhouse box seats will also be equipped with new HD
televisions.
Sound system — An enhanced sound system will allow for
improved transmission of race calls, announcements, video programming and
winner’s circle events.
Picnic tables — An additional 125 picnic tables will be
added in selected areas of the backyard area. Available to all guests at no
charge on a first-come, first-served basis, the tables have become very popular
party settings for families and friends during live racing.
Video walls — Large new video walls will be installed in
three highly-populated grandstand areas – the paddock, the outdoor mutuel bay
and near the Carousel Restaurant – for enhanced, HD video display of races and
other information.
Trakus — The high-tech system that enables television
viewers to easily track their horse’s position throughout a race will be
launched at Saratoga in 2014.
Event Tent — Home to a number of events including fashion
shows, international day celebrations, Taste of NY and other vendors, the Event
Tent will be expanded to 40′ by 70′ and feature improved flooring and
electricity.
Child-friendly entertainment — In addition to the many
family fun activities, the highly popular playground area will be expanded so
that kids have more room to play on the various pieces of equipment. Separately,
the backyard will have a dedicated area where children can visit with and touch
one of Saratoga’s outrider horses and learn about a horse’s daily routines and
activities.
Wi-Fi — After monitoring areas of high density Wi-Fi usage
on-track last year, capacity in high volume areas will be quadrupled this year
in order to improve service and minimize connectivity delays.
Restrooms — Saratoga restrooms will receive a number of
upgrades, including new fixtures, mirrors, paint and more.
Outdoor dining — The popular Saratoga Porch dining area,
open for breakfast and lunch, will be expanded to provide more tables offering a
close-up view of the races.
Aqueduct
Longshots — This new, state-of-the-art simulcasting center
offering a variety of food and beverage options is under construction and
expected to open next month.
Infield video boards — Installed last November, the large,
HD monitors offer improved viewing of races and other information by those
watching from outdoors or from inside the building.
HD televisions and cameras — New television cameras were
purchased enabling Aqueduct to shoot and transmit video in HD, and new HD
televisions were installed throughout the building’s interior, with more to come
later in 2014.
Trakus — The high-tech system that enables television
viewers to easily track their horse’s position throughout a race was launched in
November 2013.
Interior seating — Modern, airport-style seating will be
installed on the second floor later in 2014.
Lighting — Interior and exterior lighting has been enhanced
throughout the facility and outside areas, including in parking areas.
Flooring — New carpeting and other flooring materials have
been installed with additional upgrades to be made at the conclusion of the
current Aqueduct race meet.
Painting — Extensive painting has been performed throughout
the facility’s interior and this will continue throughout the year.
Infield landscaping — A host of upgrades to the Aqueduct
infield have been made including the refurbishment/reconstruction of a pond and
new fountain along with additional landscaping. These improvements will become
more apparent once warmer temperatures arrive.
Aqueduct Murals — Unveiled last November, this highly
publicized and acclaimed project features the work of 13 internationally
renowned street artists on the walls of Aqueduct’s first floor. An on-track
extension of the Aqueduct Murals project is planned for later in 2014.
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