Saratoga Race Course Master Plan
In 2009 while an associate with Blackburn Architect, I helped us win our second opportunity to restore the legacy of another historic thoroughbred institution. Once awarded, I was fortunate to lead the design team the development of a feasibility study for the restoration + redevelopment of the backstretch at Saratoga Race Course. Our team developed a capital projects budget of $80.0 million that was to be implemented over a 20-year period. The new capital projects focused on modernizing + greening the infrastructure, improving living conditions for the horses housed in 2,070 stalls, provide modern housing for 1,400 backstretch staff, and operational changes to enhance the trainers + guest experience.
Client
NYRA
Location
Saratoga Springs, NY
Project Type
Equestrian - Thoroughbred training + racing
Project Scope
Capital Projects Strategy
Year Involvement
2009 - 2012
Scale
350+ acres
2,070 horse stalls
Housing for 1,400 backstretch staff
Budget
$ 80.0 million 20-year plan
AHJ Reviews
Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation
Project Team
Turnberry Consulting (owner rep)
Blackburn Architects (backstretch architect)
David M. Schwarz Architects (frontside architect)
Weston & Sampson (civil + landscape)
Modernizing The Spa: Americas Oldest Sporting Venue
In 2008 the New York Racing Association (NYRA) was granted a new 25-year franchise to operate Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course by the State of New York. The last comprehensive overview of the NYRA facilities was the 1956 Jockey Club Plan. In the interim, not only has the racing landscape changed - the world has changed - and the tracks have suffered from a legacy of nearly half a century of under-investment. Our plan had to be conceived to deal with the future while acknowledging the past.
In 2008 NYRA appointed Turnberry Consulting US, Inc. to assist NYRA with its Capital Projects Strategy. In 2009, Blackburn was selected to lead the backstretch portion of the capital improvements plan, while David M Schwarz Architects focused on the frontside.
The objective for Saratoga was to achieve three goals: 1. Secure the historic nature of Saratoga and use the history to drive the Saratoga brand over the long term; 2. Add further capacity and facilities to widen the offerings and enhance revenue; 3. Improve maintenance and operating costs for what is a very inefficient racecourse to operate.
Our team assessed the existing conditions of the hundreds of structures in the backstretch, interviewed trainers to develop programming requirements, and developed a capital projects budget of $80.0 million that was to be implemented over a 20-year period. The goals that we identified for the backstretch included:
Stabilize the existing barns and structures where needed;
Restore the relevant historic assets;
Add at least 250 new stalls to increase the horse population and match field sizes;
Replace or refurbish all the dormitories on site with a mix of new builds and modernizations of existing;
Restore the original 1847 harness track that defines the boundary of Horse Haven;
Improve generally the utilities, landscape, equine landscape areas
Separate horse circulation paths from vehicle circulation routes;
Provide a new spine and entrance through Oklahoma with new public viewing and horsemen’s viewing stand and relocate main office and workshops.
Create a new circulation spine through the southern portion of the backstretch;
Better secure the boundaries to the site;
Provide better social and community facilities for backstretch workers.
From our efforts one improvement was built prior to our exit: the Whitney Public Viewing Stand at the west end of the Oklahoma training track.
