Laurel adding building with stalls, dorm rooms

Construction is set to begin on a Laurel Park backstretch building that will contain 85 new stalls, 40 offices, and 150 dormitory rooms, according to Sal Sinatra, president of the Maryland Jockey Club.

The new building, which will border Route 198, the main thoroughfare on the south side of Laurel Park, is budgeted at $6 million and is expected to be completed by July, according to Sinatra.

“The stalls are going to be made of mahogany and will be Amish built,” Sinatra said. “We’re glad to be able to offer our backstretch workers new dorms.”

Since 2014, three new barns and a wash-rack facility have been constructed at Laurel. Each of the new barns houses 150 horses.