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Proposal for new horse park unveiled

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By MELISSA LEE / Lincoln Journal Star

Thursday, Sep 18, 2008 - 06:03:41 pm CDT

Proponents of moving horse racing to northeast Lincoln unveiled their vision Thursday for a horse park that would span more than 360 acres and boast state-of-the-art facilities to meet a growing demand for racing, equestrian programs and equitherapy.

The Nebraska Horse Park — working name Goldenrod Downs — would give racing a new home after the University of Nebraska-Lincoln takes over State Fair Park in 2010.

It also would give the state’s horse programs ample room to grow, proponents said at a legislative hearing on the future of horse racing.

Story Photo
Horses break from the starting gate July 10 at State Fair Park. Proponents of moving horse racing to northeast Lincoln unveiled their vision Thursday for a new horse park. (LJS file)

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“This is what we’ve been looking for,” Jerry Fudge, president of the Nebraska Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association, said before the General Affairs Committee hearing.

The association joins the Lancaster Event Center, UNL and Sunrise EquiTherapy, along with the city, county and 2015 Vision, in a partnership supporting the Nebraska Horse Park near the event center at 84th Street and Havelock Avenue.

All those partners are expected to share in the cost. Proponents say it’s too early to put a price tag on Nebraska Horse Park, but offered $50 million as a preliminary estimate.

Among the proposed park’s features:

* A mile-long race track and grandstand to replace the 5/8-mile track at State Fair Park, which UNL plans to convert into a research and development campus.

* A multi-purpose equestrian center that would house shows and other special events.

* Space for UNL’s growing equine science programs and student groups like the equestrian, horse judging and rodeo teams.

* A permanent, year-round home for Sunrise EquiTherapy, which provides equine therapy to those with disabilities. Its operations are now scattered in multiple locations in the Lincoln area.

* Parking, up to 1,200 horse stalls, up to 2,000 camping spots, horse trails and other facilities that could be shared among the partners.

* Restaurants, hotels and other commercial properties that could boost economic growth.

The Lancaster Event Center recently finished an $8 million expansion and is looking to grow its campus even further, manager Ron Snover said.

The Nebraska Horse Park would allow the event center to attract more shows and do more business, he said.

“The economic impact is just — who knows?”

There are three tracks in the state — State Fair Park, Fonner Park in Grand Island and Agricultural Park in Columbus — that offer extended live meets for thoroughbred racing.

Two other tracks, including Horseman’s Park in Omaha, hold weekend meets and function the rest of the year as simulcast facilities.

Racing is likely to remain at the 251-acre State Fair Park until 2012. And the Nebraska Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association had hoped to stay in Lincoln, where the racing market is strong, beyond that year, Fudge said.

The 84th and Havelock site — with plenty of land, proximity to Interstate 80 and Lancaster Event Center facilities already there — is an ideal location, Fudge said.

And UNL’s equine programs have outgrown their space, said Steve Waller, dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources.

UNL’s champion equestrian team doesn’t have spots for all who try out, and enrollment in the ag sciences college is rising faster than at any other college at UNL.

New facilities would benefit students as well as give UNL a recruitment edge, Waller said.

“I encourage you to think about (Nebraska Horse Park) as an academic endeavor as much as anything else,” he told lawmakers.

Before the hearing, Waller said, “2012 won’t come quick enough to meet our needs.”

Partners don’t have plans at this point to ask the state for money, 2015 Vision spokesman Doug Parrott said.

Lincoln attorney Kent Seacrest, also a member of 2015 Vision, acknowledged funding the park could be a roadblock.

Money was on the mind of at least one senator, too.

“I like it. I think it’s a great plan,” Sen. Russ Karpisek of Wilber said, echoing other lawmakers who expressed enthusiasim for the proposal.

But Karpisek added: “My bottom line is going to be in the details. Who’s going to pay for it and how’s it all going to shake out?”

Reach Melissa Lee at 473-2682 or mlee@journalstar.com.


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YES. wrote on September 18, 2008 3:45 pm:
" Lincoln NEEDS this to happen! Finally, we will have an edge on Omaha...and a money generator! Great design by The Clark Enersen Partners! "

 K. wrote on September 18, 2008 4:01 pm:
" I think this is great, it sounds to me like this new park will inspire more jobs and boost our local economy. We are a growing city--also more things to do=keeping kids off the streets for those of you that believe that theory...I never bought into the "I got into trouble because there wasn't anything to do" excuse. "

 Rhonda wrote on September 18, 2008 4:51 pm:
" Why would UNL want research or any facilities clear across town. Wasn't the whole reason for taking over the State Fair Park to keep research facilities close to campus and not clear across town. Maybe UNL should stop thinking and planning out of both sides of their mouths. I would also love to know where this expanding interest is Horse racing is at, I do see more children involved in showing horses, but to what cost for tax payers. "

 Fair fan wrote on September 18, 2008 6:09 pm:
" Save the $50 million and move the horse racing to GI too. The price tag on this is $50 million, but moving the entire state fair is $42 million. The legislature and UNL want the state fair to fail by underfunding it. "

 Columbus Ag Park wrote on September 18, 2008 6:56 pm:
" Umm Fair Fan, they already have horse racing in GI. It's called Fonner Park.They begin the Nebraska circuit there from February-beginning of May. If this doesn't go down there will not be horse racing in Nebraska (Grand Island, Columbus, Omaha, South Sioux, Lincoln) period. Let's hope they get this done or horse racing will die forever in this state. "

 About time wrote on September 18, 2008 7:08 pm:
" I hope this happens. We need a new track that is a destination for thoroughbred owners like Prairie Downs is. That facility makes ours look well awful. Year round events in a large arena would also attract rodeos, bull riding, etc etc. Its all more money for Lincoln!! "

 Ed wrote on September 18, 2008 7:47 pm:
" I can suggest a pretty quick way to come up with the money for this really nicely thought out facility - slot machines. Of course, the people in Nebraska are more happy sending all those dollars out of state instead of keeping them here, so that's unlikely to happen. Unfortunately Lincoln has very little or no hope of getting anything approximating Prairie Meadows as long as we don't have slots (as they have there).

Otherwise, Rhonda, the fact that you haven't been to State Fair Park and seen the crowds growing year after year (with more young people and families) doesn't mean it isn't happening. Handle and attendance numbers make it clear that Lincoln is a thriving market for good horse racing. If its popularity is growing in Lincoln with the sub-standard facilities we have now (short track, aging grandstand even though its managed well) it can only grow faster with better facilities, better advertising that would come from this new project, and better quality racing that comes from a bigger track.

This is a great opportunity for Lincoln. Racing is a multi-million dollar business and Nebraska used to be right at the center of it (until Ak-sar-ben closed). This would give Lincolnites another entertainment option, would help keep some gambling dollars here (instead of sending them to other states), and would provide an economic boost as the quality of racing improved. Lincoln 2015 has been very problematic at various points in the past, but at least this is recognition that horse racing thrives in Lincoln and is very important economically in this area. "

 Dollars wrote on September 18, 2008 8:05 pm:
" Whose dollars? Explain please. I'm taxed to the limit. "

 Carmelo wrote on September 18, 2008 8:13 pm:
" Yaaaaay!!!! My prayers have been answered!!!! "

 Awesome wrote on September 18, 2008 8:18 pm:
" I have been taking my little girl to the races since she was a baby. My parents did the same with my brother and me. It is a great place for families to go and have fun together. Sure there are a few shady people there, but no more than at the mall, the movie theater, downtown, and even that darn fair. I have had ten times the fun at the horse races over the years then I ever had at the fair. I only worried about the races this whole time the fairgrounds were on the line. I am just so excited for the city of Lincoln!!! I'm bursting! "

 peb wrote on September 18, 2008 8:34 pm:
" What happened to the anti-gambling crowd? "

 Michael wrote on September 18, 2008 9:28 pm:
" The only way this would ever work is if they would legalize and bring in OTB or add a casino to it. It is too expensive not to operate year round. I think there are a lot of Nebraskans that would go for this project if it did include something to make it viable year round. "

 Fair fan wrote on September 18, 2008 10:35 pm:
" Yes, of course they already have racing, why can't they have both date segments. Since we won't have the fair anymore, I don't want to spend any money on building a horse track. Save the 50 million and move the racing to GI. "

 Yaaaaayyyy wrote on September 18, 2008 10:44 pm:
" Sounds like a plan to me!!! If their going to take the fair away from us, at least let horse racing continue. Do you think they just might (pretty please) let motorcycle or car races happen their too? Why not!?!?! I suppose someone will cry about the noise. I miss the sound of races I used to be able to hear from Midwest Speedway and the Fairgrounds! "

 Re Fair Fan and Michael wrote on September 19, 2008 12:22 am:
" Your argument makes no sense. State Fair Park's live racing season never coincided with the Fair. The grandstand was on the fair grounds, but racing can survive independently of the Fair and should. If you're just mad that the Fair is gone, fine, but don't punish the rest of us horse racing fans (many if not most who are also mad about the Fair) by rejecting a proposal for a great new facility for racing, research, and a camp for horse related therapies.

And Michael, the track currently has simulcast horse racing year round. Virtually, 365 days a year you can go and bet on other tracks, even when there isn't live racing. That, however, will disappear if the track disappears. In order to have simulcasting (which does generate a lot of business - go on a Saturday afternoon and look at the people and the money they're spending) you have to have live racing. It's in state statute. So, either get rid of the statute (and allow online betting on horses) or keep live racing. But please do recognize that what you call OTB is already there. "

 Big Brown wrote on September 19, 2008 7:22 am:
" Apparently Fair fan doesn't get it....If there is no track in Lincoln, that means no simulcast betting, which means less funds for the NE horse racing industry, which means no racing in NE period!! GI can not support the entire state with horse racing and people from Lincoln would not drive to GI to attend, just like they're not going to for the State Fair. "

 sham sham wrote on September 19, 2008 7:56 am:
" If Lincoln wants to grow let's get the casino's here then they can pay for the Arena and horse track. With all the partners involved who will run this facility and who will get the profit if there is any? Another hair brain scheme from that 2015 group. Think big, get a worlds of fun or oceans of fun here and a casino. "

 looks funny wrote on September 19, 2008 8:00 am:
" Sure looks funny we kick the State fair out, move it to a place that cann't afford it then move horse track to Events Center. All the time say that the events center will be bigger than the state fair ever was. Behind the scenes is very tipical for this city. ENOUGH "

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