Churchill Downs invests $4.4 million in upgrades for Kentucky Derby

Churchill Downs, one of the world’s most historic sports and entertainment venues, will create an improved infield guest entry experience for the 2019 Kentucky Derby and beyond with a $4.4 million capital investment through the construction of a new Infield Gate, the track announced Wednesday. Churchill Downs will also spend $3.9 million to complete the colonnade wall from the Paddock Gate to the Clubhouse Gate. 

Approximately 25% of the total $8.3 million capital investments will be spent in 2018, with the remainder spent before the Kentucky Derby in 2019.  

Infield Gate

This new entrance will significantly improve pedestrian flow for general admission ticket holders who want to watch the races from the infield which boasts the biggest Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks parties during the first weekend in May. The existing brick wall along Central Avenue will be extended to meet a new concave corner wall and marquee sign that will greet visitors approaching the racetrack via Central Avenue. In addition, this entrance will feature eight ticket sales windows and 30 turnstiles to improve the customer experience. Additional space also has been allotted for security screenings to ensure people move through the entry process quickly and safely.   

Colonnade

In October 2017, Churchill Downs announced a $32 million project to improve the parking and transportation experience which included a colonnade wall from the Executive Gate to the enlarged Paddock Gate entrance.  This new project will extend the colonnade wall from the Paddock Gate to the Clubhouse Gate. The colonnade wall will create a uniform perimeter as it continues the architecture established with last year’s project. Additionally, a portion of the colonnade will conceal back-of-house operations from the customer’s view.      

Construction on the new Infield Gate and extension of the Colonnade Wall will begin after this weekend's Breeders' Cup and be completed before the May 4 Kentucky Derby. Populous is the architect and Calhoun Construction Services will serve as the project manager.

Every fall, Churchill Downs sells the following year’s Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks via an online sale. Guests may sign-up to be invited to the 2019 Kentucky Derby online sale to receive ticket and pricing information at https://www.kentuckyderby.com/tickets/2019. Registration for the 2019 online sale will end Sunday.