Churchill Downs unveils giant video board

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Churchill Downs officials are promising that the latest renovations at their ever-changing racetrack will be ready when the 2014 spring meet opens April 26.

Projects involving a huge video board on the backstretch and a massive reconstruction of the far end of the grandstand adjacent to Central Avenue fell behind schedule because of weather-related delays during an especially harsh winter, but “it will all be ready” by opening night, Churchill general manager Ryan Jordan said during a Wednesday media tour. The projects carry a combined estimated cost of $26.5 million.

The Panasonic video board is being touted as “the largest video board in an outdoor stadium or arena capable of displaying the new and advanced 4K ultra-high-definition technology,” according to a Churchill release. Its peak will be 17 stories high, and its width will be 171 feet.

The multipurpose terrace project near the quarter pole will allow fans in that section to get a close-up view of horses breaking from the gate in the Kentucky Derby, which will be run May 3 for the 140th time. An additional 2,400 seats will be available on the second and third levels, while restrooms and concession areas have been upgraded, and a variety of new amenities have been added.

Churchill president Kevin Flanery said the renovations were undertaken to further enhance the ontrack experience for fans.

“We have to change because our customers’ expectations change,” he said. “We want them to have a better ontrack experience than they can have sitting at home watching on the couch.”

The video board and terrace project are just the latest major changes at Churchill. Among other updates, the track underwent a $121 million overhaul completed in 2005, a permanent lights system was added in 2010, and a sixth-floor restructuring last year added “The Mansion” to displace the press box.