Churchill to open new clubhouse

Churchill Downs unveiled its facility plans on Thursday for the upcoming fall meet, the last one during which the Louisville, Ky., track will be partly closed because of a $121 million renovation that began in December 2001.

The bottom three floors of the new six-floor clubhouse will be open to the public, as will one of the main entrance gates, Gate 10. For the last few meets, Churchill has used makeshift facilities during live racing, so the upcoming meet represents a substantial upgrade.

The fall meet runs Oct. 31 to Nov. 27. The entire renovation is scheduled for completion in time for the 2005 spring meet and the 131st Kentucky Derby.