Lincoln may be losing the state fair to Grand Island, but it looks like horse racing will stick around in the Capital City. During a legislative hearing Thursday on the future of horse racing, m
MELISSA LEE / Lincoln Journal Star | Posted: Tuesday, September 16, 2008 7:00 pm
Lincoln may be losing the state fair to Grand Island, but it looks like horse racing will stick around in the Capital City.
During a legislative hearing Thursday on the future of horse racing, members of 2015 Vision and other groups are scheduled to unveil a proposal for Goldenrod Downs — a 180-acre development at the northeast corner of 84th Street and Havelock Avenue that would include a mile-long race track and other features, according to a source who has seen a draft of the plans.
Along with the new track — a significant upgrade from the 5/8-mile track at State Fair Park — Goldenrod Downs would be home to a grandstand, commercial activity and space for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s equine programs, the source said.
Still unknown were how much the project would cost — previous estimates for a new track have been about $50 million — and who would share the bill.
The Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association, which assumes horse racing duties from the State Fair Board after UNL takes over the fairgrounds in 2010, could be responsible for as much as $18 million, the source said.
The land proposed for Goldenrod Downs is owned by UNL. The university once offered to donate that land as part of 2015 Vision’s pitch to move the fair to the nearby Lancaster Event Center.
“And there is still interest in developing that property,” said 2015 Vision spokesman Doug Parrott.
Of Thursday’s presentation before the Legislature’s General Affairs Committee, Parrott would only say: “It involves future development opportunities on the 84th and Havelock Avenue property near the Lancaster Event Center. Details will be unveiled (Thursday). We consider it an exciting economic development opportunity.
“The hearing is about the future of horse racing. … Obviously, given that topic, horse racing is going to be part of the presentation.”
Jerry Fudge, president of the 1,000-member Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protection Association, confirmed a move to 84th and Havelock will be a topic of discussion at the hearing, but declined to give details.
Fudge previously has advocated for horse racing to continue in Lincoln for the sake of fans, who made a strong showing at this year’s State Fair Park horse racing meet.
And a mile-long track would allow for more national visibility, racing leaders have said.
Given the cost for a new track, UNL has told the Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association that racing can stay at State Fair Park until 2012.
By then, UNL hopes to be on its way toward developing a research and development campus on the 251-acre fairgrounds.
Goldenrod Downs could offer additional space for UNL to expand its growing programs.
The proposal “will allow the university to advance some of its priorities as well as to accommodate horse racing,” Chancellor Harvey Perlman said. “And we can do all of this without significant financial implications for the university. …
“The university’s not going to subsidize horse racing. But there are other activities which we may engage in that are important to us.”
UNL’s expanding equine programs certainly could use more space, said Kathleen Anderson, an associate professor of animal science.
UNL has beefed up its academic offerings in equine science in recent years, and its equestrian team is growing, prompting an increased need for horses and stables, Anderson said.
“It’s a very popular area, both from an academic standpoint and a recreational standpoint,” she said. “It’s a big draw. … We’re kind of constrained on space.”
Reach Melissa Lee at 473-2682 or mlee@journalstar.com.