Churchill Downs yesterday announced $18M in "upgrades to a number of the track's premium seating areas, including the fourth floor Stakes Room and Clubhouse as well as the third floor Turf Club," according to a front-page piece by Jonathan Lintner of the Louisville COURIER-JOURNAL. Amenities "will include upgraded food and drink offerings, varying table sizes, lounge seating, race-day entertainment, in-seat technologies and added wagering windows." As a result, reserved seating on Kentucky Derby Day will "jump from 57,880 to 58,654." Interior construction "will begin after Churchill Downs' Fall Meet ends Nov. 29." Some demolition "may also occur in September." The new Roses Lounge in the Turf Club will "go in the space previously occupied by the Matt Winn Dining Room." Twelve tables will "honor the story of each Triple Crown winner inside the 4,700-square-foot space." The new boxes, formerly known as Indoor Premium Boxes, will be "remodeled with white timber and seat six to 10." They line the glass in front of the Turf Club Lounge and "will be equipped with in-box food and drink delivery." The latest round of renovations "bumps total invested in capital improvements to Churchill over the last six years" to $69.4M (Louisville COURIER-JOURNAL, 9/2).
