Caesars Entertainment Scioto Downs New Grandstand
May 11, 2023 Scioto Downs Grandstand opens on the track's opening night.
April 9, 2023 Scioto Downs Horsemen's Track Committee meeting. Tour of the grandstand shows that it is almost complete with tote machines and other electronics going in this day, and the certificate of occupancy is expected to issue soon. Work is also occurring on the Clubhouse exterior and area under the Clubhouse, next year the roof on the clubhouse will be re-done with a $1.5M capital improvement approval already having occurred. Over $350,000 has been spent on the Clubhouse Patio. Grand Opening is scheduled for May 4, 2023.
March 15, 2023 Ohio State Racing Commission meeting, No update item concerning the Caesars Scioto Downs Grandstand.
February 15, 2023 Ohio State Racing Commission meeting, No update item concerning the Caesars Scioto Downs Grandstand.
January 18, 2023 Ohio State Racing Commission meeting, No update item concerning the Caesars Scioto Downs Grandstand.
December 14, 2022 Ohio State Racing Commission meeting, No update item concerning the Caesars Scioto Downs Grandstand.
November 22, 2022 Standardbred Development Fund meeting, Attendees at this meeting held at the Caesars Scioto Hampton Inn were provided withh a walking tour of the new building. Entering from the north end of the new structure, through the "back of the house" and up to the public spaces on the second floor and raccing officials area on the top floor. Concrete work on the building's structure looks to be substantially complete with the front seating riser area underway. The structure had most of the roof complete and installed along with most walls enclosed. There was a substantial amount of heating and electircal complete with the elevators and all glass awaiting install. The building will likely be completely enclosed and weather tight by the end-of-the year, weather permitting.
November 16, 2022 Ohio State Racing Commission meeting, No update item concerning the Caesars Scioto Downs Grandstand.
October 19, 2022 Ohio State Racing Commission meeting, no update item concerning the Caesars Scioto Downs Grandstand. The Racing Commission noted that the Casino Commission operational monies were continuing to be held in escrow. They would periodically review and make decisions on release going forward.
September, 2022 No Racing Commission Meeting Held.
August 31, 2022 Ohio State Racing Commission meeting, no update item concerning the Caesars Scioto Downs Grandstand.
July 13, 2022 Update Item concerning the Caesars Scioto Downs Grandstand. Jason Roth, Director of Racing Caesars Scioto Downs and Gabe Prewitt, Director of Racing for Caesars Entertainment provided an update. They continue to add manpower to the build and have had Messer Construction on site for 119 days with 75% of the foundation work complete. The elevator foundation is poured, they have installed 200 cubic yards of concrete on the project. The voltage pathways, walls, and grandstand are in process for June and July. The structural steel is scheduled to be delivered in August. The original budget was $20 million, due to supply chain and availability it is approaching $27 million. It was noted the project cost five years ago was projected at $17 million. The scheduled date of completion is on track for April 2023.
June 22, 2022 No Agenda Update Item on the Ohio State Racing Commission Monthly Meeting Agenda.
May 25, 2022 No Agenda Update Item on the Ohio State Racing Commission Monthly Meeting Agenda.
April 20, 2022 No Agenda Update Item on the Ohio State Racing Commission Monthly Meeting Agenda.
March 23, 2022 Ohio State Racing Commission Agenda update from Joe Morris - Senior Vice President of Racing Caesars Entertainment, Amy Ankerson - Senior Vice President and General Manager Caesars Scioto Downs, Jason Roth - Director of Racing Caesars Scioto Downs, and Kacie Klarer - Director of Marketing Caesars Scioto Downs. SVP Joe Morris provided an update on the construction timeline providing a "substantially complete" opinion for March 2023. The steel for the project was ordered in November, is scheduled to be delivered in July 2022. Joe Morris reiterated that project updates continue to occur by phone with the Racing Commission every Friday at 10:00 a.m. and the livestream camera broadcasting the project has 10-20 people on it all the time. Updating their operational plan Jason Roth said the live racing in 2022 will offer, free racing programs online and there will be live broadcasts of weekly qualifiers. Amy Ankerson outlined the capital improvements slated for the facility to include family friendly things on the track apron for the summer meet, additional improvements to the clubhouse, and other facility projects on the remaining structures, in use for the 2022 live meet. Kacie Klarer offered information on the creation of a Driver's fan club with meet and greets, pushing out Caesars Fan Rewards across all of Caesars platforms, and a $1 promotional initiative in May and June 2022 at Brew's Brothers on food items. The $1 promotional proceeds will be donated to racehorse rescue and rehoming. Kacie also offered details of a commercial in the works scheduled to play on all social media outlets. In response to a question about on-air and broadcast advertising other than through social media outlets, Kacie set forth that there were none scheduled for 2022.
February 23, 2022 No Agenda Update Item on the Ohio State Racing Commission Monthly Meeting Agenda. Ohio State Racing Commission advised agenda item would be on the March 23, 2022 Meeting Agenda.
January 19, 2022 No Agenda Update Item on the Ohio State Racing Commission Monthly Meeting Agenda.
December 15, 2021 No Agenda Update Item on the Ohio State Racing Commission Monthly Meeting Agenda.
November 17, 2021 Ohio State Racing Commission Agenda Item 9. Those in attendance from Caesars included.
- Joe Morris - Senior Vice President of Racing Caesars Entertainment
- Amy Ankerson - Senior Vice President and General Manager Caesars Scioto Downs
- Jason Roth - Director of Racing Caesars Scioto Downs
SVP Joe Morris re-stated the timeline updating October’s disclosure. (1) Asbestos and Lead Paint abatement is complete. (2) Relocate site electrical located under the Grandstand area bids due November 22, 2021. Disconnection and relocation of electrical to commence December 1, 2021. Expected completion on electrical the last week of January 2022. (3) Demolition of the Grandstand and Penthouse structures would start in the last week of January. The target end-date for clean-up and removal of site debris would be February 2022, with construction to follow. (4) Rebuild expected to start in March 2022. Full facility building permits have been submitted and the construction timeline will be updated after permit issuance and structural steel delivery is confirmed. Mr. Morris provided detail that a construction webcam would be installed to watch the progress on site livestreamed.
Caesars applied to use the existing temporary structure for racing in 2022 and modify post-times to 3:30 p.m. for the 2022 live meet due to the loss of track lighting above the grandstand until final construction. The Racing Commission previewed and approved a slightly new configuration on the prior temporary structure to house racing officials at the racetrack. The broadcast room, officials’ location, reconfiguration of racing operations equipment and post time were approved unanimously by the
October 20, 2021 Ohio State Racing Commission Agenda Item 8. Those in attendance from Caesars included.
- Bill Reeg - Regional President Caesars Entertainment
- Joe Morris - Senior Vice President of Racing Caesars Entertainment
- Amy Ankerson - Senior Vice President and General Manager Caesars Scioto Downs
- Jason Roth - Director of Racing Caesars Scioto Downs
- Richard Hillis - Lobbyist for Caesars Enterprise Services
SVP Joe Morris re-stated the timeline updating September’s disclosure. (1) Asbestos and Lead Paint abatement. (2) Relocate site electrical located under the Grandstand area. (3) Demolition of the Grandstand and Penthouse structures. (4) Rebuild. Mr. Morris provided detail that the hazardous material abatement should be complete by November 12, 2021. Electrical relocation will follow with completion by December 2021. Demolition should be complete by the end of December 2021. The target end-date for clean-up and removal of site debris would be February 2022, with construction to follow. Mr. Morris did not provide definitive dates for construction due to the difficulty in sourcing construction materials during COVID, particularly steel. Caesars has transferred $6 million into the capital improvements account for the project. Mr. Morris said, "best case scenario will have the new construction completed by December 2022." Chairman Scott Borgemenke asked for continual updates on supply chain issues stating the Commission would be diligent in overseeing the project. COO Anthony Carano followed-up that the steel for the project had been ordered, and they would provide transparency to the Commission on delivery dates. Mr. Carano further added that, “Caesars is fully committed to racing”, with the intent to bring Scioto Downs back to what it was before as Ohio’s showplace of racing.
If the rebuild is not completed until December 2022, Caesars said they would request commencement of the live 2022 live racing meet with an earlier 3:30 p.m. post time, because lighting would be an issue without the grandstand structure. Final track lighting to illuminate the stretch will be installed on the rooftop of the new structure. In addition to an earlier post time, they sought dispensation to retain the existing temporary structure for use during racing for officials in 2022.
The new complex will have a 2,500-person capacity when Complete. The 500-seat capacity Clubhouse will remain. New will be, 750 stadium seats in the main level, an additional 200 seats on the side, and open trackside apron area that can handle 500. There will be VIP rooms on the top level on each side of the announcer's and racing officials' section. The VIP rooms capacity are 80 and 50 each. There is an open-air patio at the north end of the new structure that can seat 286 patrons. The Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association provided input and opined that the open seating areas at a minimum be covered adequately so they can be used in all inclement weather and for special events without the need to pay for tents.
September 8, 2021 Ohio State Racing Commission Agenda Item 8. Those in attendance from Caesars included.
- Bill Reeg - Regional President Caesars Entertainment
- Joe Morris - Senior Vice President of Racing Caesars Entertainment
- Amy Ankerson - Senior Vice President and General Manager Caesars Scioto Downs
- Jason Roth - Director of Racing Caesars Scioto Downs
- Richard Hillis - Lobbyist for Caesars Enterprise Services
SVP Joe Morris outlined the timeline: (1) Asbestos and Lead Paint Abatement. (2) Relocate site electrical located under the Grandstand area. (3) Demolition of the Grandstand and Penthouse structures. (4) Rebuild. The four-step plan has started with re-harnessing on the site electrical. The large-scale work will commence as soon as the live meet ends as scheduled on September 18, 2021. Mr. Morris did not provide definitive dates due to the difficulty in sourcing construction materials during COVID. Although there is "no timeline, we will do it as fast as we can", stated Morris. The, "plan is to have the facility ready to go by next year's live racing meet."
The new Grandstand will offer 750 stadium seats in the main level, an additional 200 seats on the sides, and open apron area. There will be VIP rooms on the top level on each side of the announcer's and racing officials' section. The VIP rooms capacity are 80 and 50 each. The 500 seat capacity Clubhouse will remain.
The Ohio State Racing Commission comments admonished Caesars officials for the "embarrassing" state of the facility and subsequent black eye for Ohio Racing at what once was, "Ohio's Showplace of Racing". Chairman Scott Borgemenke admonished Caesars officials for not taking care of the racing patrons to the same level and degree that racino patrons enjoyed, and said fines for this and any other future infractions would follow. Those fine monies would not be used to enhance the Racing Commission's coffers, but to aid participant and racehorse benevolence. The Chairman's additional comments extended from more parity in marketing and promotion to patron treatment and accommodations. Commissioner Thomas Winters added that the Commission would, "hold their feet to the fire" in regards to the project and operations moving forward. Commission Winters further suggested holding any Casino Commission monies for operations in escrow until conditions are met regarding the facility. Joe Morris said he would provide full capital expenditures, marketing budgets for racing, and other items.
Chairman Borgemenke warned, "but-for racing, the racinos would not exist," and a full report of planned capital expenditures, marketing budgets, and other items will be requested from all permit holders going forward. The corporate entities must comply to take care of live racing and the live racing program. In future Racing Commission meetings, the expectation was the corporate decision-makers with actual authority be present.