Upgraded Charles Town reopens

The Charles Town Races will reopen for live racing Wednesday after the completion of construction to upgrade the track, which cost between $7 million and 8 million.

During the three weeks the track was closed, workers installed a new racing surface with banked turns, a stadium-style drainage system designed to reduce cancellations due to bad weather, and high-tech lighting.

"The track resurfacing, and specifically the installation of banked turns, will make this one of the safest facilities around," said Wayne Harrison, acting president of the local Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association. "As a result, we should be able to attract an even better class of horses and competition."