Arlington Racecourse Officially Up For Sale As ‘Redevelopment Opportunity’

On Tuesday, Churchill Downs declared it had formally begin the sale of Arlington International Racecourse.

It may not come as a surprise to those who have been keeping up with Arlington news over the past few years, but it remains significant nonetheless. Arlington is one of the three horse lines in Illinois.

Churchill Downs will continue to hold horse races until 2021, as they do not anticipate a price before then.

In a press release, Churchill Downs CEO Bill Carstanjen stated:

The perfect location in Chicago’s northwest suburbs, Arlington, coupled with direct downtown access through an on-site Metra rail station, provides a unique redevelopment opportunity. We expect considerable interest in the site and are excited to collaborate with potential clients and the Village of Arlington Heights to transition this historic building into its next phase.

“In the meantime, we are firm in our decision to transfer Arlington’s racing license to another community within Chicagoland or elsewhere in the state. We are exploring potential solutions that involve the condition, neighboring communities, and the thousands of Illinois residents who depend on thoroughbred horse racing, either directly or indirectly. We continue to hold the belief that we can find solutions that serve the interests of all these communities.”

“We are committed to the thoroughbred racing industry in Illinois and will explore all possibilities to foster its future growth.”

The crucial word there could be “redevelopment”, or “next”, as it clearly doesn’t seem like racing is part of the track’s future.

Churchill Downs in Waukegan, exactly?

As stated in his speech by Carstanjen, Churchill Downs intends to relocate its passport to a different site in Illinois.

The most likely destination is the Waukegan casino, as it is currently an applicant for the license.

Naturally, there’s no guarantee that the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) will choose Churchill’s bid, even though they might have valid reasons to consider it. Full House Resorts and North Point Casino are the other two contenders for the Waukegan registration.

If chosen, the city of Waukegan would also have to approve the racino’s horse racing component.

During the height of Arlington sale speculations, Waukegan’s Mayor, Sam Cunningham, stated:

Not taking into account any developer’s request would be unwise in any financial scenario. However, a racino? At present, our primary focus should be helping our citizens navigate these challenging times. Hopefully, they can look forward to the opening of a new casino in the later part of next year.

We should be nearing a decision on the available game bids.

Earlier this month, the IGB deemed Hard Rock Casino Rockford “preliminarily suitable” for a casino license. This is a crucial stage in obtaining final approval.

Participants from various regions, such as Waukegan, are still uncertain about their future. However, more information is expected to be available by the end of April.

Regarding Arlington International

Arlington International, comprising 326 acres of land in Arlington Heights, was founded in 1927.

The International Racing Festival takes place at a venue that accommodates 12,000 club chairs and 35,000 seats for nbsp.

In 1981, the first thoroughbred race with a purse of $1 million was also hosted by Arlington.

Churchill Downs purchased the trail in 2000, and it seems that its equity run is coming to an end after approximately 21 years.