Belmont Park construction work ‘races’ ahead

Image: Populous

The Governor of New York Kathy Hochul recently joined officials from the New York Racing Association (NYRA), AECOM Tishman, Populous, and hundreds of union construction workers for a topping out ceremony at the Belmont Park in Elmont, Nassau County, US.

‘NEW YORK YIMBY’ stated that the event marked the placement of the final steel beam in a multiyear effort to transform the historic racetrack into a modern racing and entertainment venue. Led by the NYRA in partnership with the New York State the $455 million project is one of the largest racetrack redevelopment efforts in the United States.

New York (US)-based the New York Racing Association, Inc. is the not-for-profit corporation that operates the three largest thoroughbred horse racing tracks in the State of New York, United States: The 40,000-capacity Aqueduct Racetrack in South Ozone Park, Queens, the Belmont Park in Elmont and the 50,000-capacity Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs.

Since 1898, New York (US)-based AECOM Tishman has managed some of the largest and most complex mixed-use and mega development projects in the United States – defining the skylines of the world’s most notable and recognized Cities. With a stellar reputation sustained over a century they understand the distinctive challenges associated with delivering complex projects and offer unparalleled expertise to achieve the clients’ visions.

Populous is a global architectural and design practice with regional headquarters in Kansas City (US), London (UK) and Brisbane (Australia) specializing in sports facilities, arenas and convention centers as well as in the planning and design of major special events.

The 100,000-capacity Belmont Park is a Thoroughbred horse racetrack in Elmont, New York (US), just East of the New York City limits, best known for hosting the Belmont Stakes, the final leg of the American Triple Crown. It was opened on May 4^th, 1905 and is one of the most well- known racetracks in the United States.

In the United States, the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing, commonly known as the Triple Crown, is a series of horse races for the three-year-old Thoroughbreds consisting of the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes.

‘NEW YORK YIMBY’ further stated that the new Belmont Park will feature expanded grandstands, modernized seating and dining facilities and state-of-the-art racing infrastructure. Construction has involved over 3,700 union workers in total and is progressing on schedule with completion expected by Fall 2026. The venue is set to host the Breeders’ Cup World Championships upon reopening marking its return to New York for the first time since 2005.

The Breeders’ Cup World Championships is an annual series of Grade I Thoroughbred horse races operated by the Breeders’ Cup Limited, a company formed in 1982. From its inception in 1984 through 2006 it was a single-day event. Starting in 2007, it expanded to two days.

According to the NYRA and the State officials, the project is expected to generate a $155 million economic impact for the surrounding community.

The redevelopment also aims to honor the site’s storied past including historic moments such as the Secretariat’s (it was an was an American Thoroughbred racehorse) record-breaking win in the 1973 Belmont Stakes and Julie Krone’s (retired American jockey) groundbreaking victory as the first woman to win a Triple Crown race. The officials emphasized that the redesign balances this legacy with modern amenities and fan connectivity including improved circulation through the newly constructed tunnels and hospitality options.

Stated Governor Hochul, “For people who live around here it just didn’t seem to have a sense of pride around it. This is an antiquated facility, its days were numbered, no one had the vision to take it from the status quo to the future, and everyone here was involved in making that happen… 18 months of hard work, 3,700 union members with our hard hats on… I tip my hat to all of you.”

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