Construction will start on the long-awaited Century Downs Racetrack and Casino, in Balzac this month.
Owner Century Casinos announced March 26 that foundation work and piling will begin shortly, as they received a stripping and grading permit on March 12.
Heavy machinery including track hoes and bulldozers, arrived on site mid-March to begin the earth work.
“United Horsemen of Alberta and Century Casinos chose Chandos Construction Ltd. as general contractor for the construction of the casino,” according to a recent press release.
This $25-million project in Balzac will be the third casino Century Casinos owns in Alberta, the others include Century Casino and Hotel in Edmonton and Century Casino & Bowling in Calgary.
Chandos Construction built the Edmonton casino on time and on budget in 2006, according to the company.
A well-known track consultant, Charles E. Coon and Sons, Inc., will facilitate the planning of the track, construction and maintenance.
“We’ve been pursuing this very actively for the last two years with our partners, United Horsemen of Alberta,” said Andreas Terler, vice president of operations for Century Casinos, Inc.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity for the area. The area is underserved when it comes to casinos and underserved for race tracks.”
Terler said the budget for the construction will be $25 million, added to the $50 million already sunk into the development of the land and infrastructure. The Century Downs Racetrack and Casino will include a 5.5 -urlong (1.1 kilometre) racetrack, and 30,000-square-foot racing entertainment centre with a gaming floor, 550 gaming machines, a bar, lounge, and restaurant, and off-track betting area. The track will not only host thoroughbred and standardbred racing, but also have a 400-yard chute for quarter horse races, according to the United Horsemen of Alberta website.
“It will be good for all racing in Alberta,” Terler said.
“We believe there’s a demand for that type of racing here and in Edmonton.”
The racetrack in Balzac would be the sixth track in Alberta, according to Horse Racing Alberta (HRA), a private not-for-profit corporation. Others include Alberta Downs in Lacombe, Evergreen Park in Grande Prairie, Northlands Park in Edmonton, and the Rocky Mountain Turf Club in Lethbridge. Millarville Racetrack is among the existing racetracks in the province, but it only hosts horse racing once a year on Canada Day.
Expected completion of Century Downs Racetrack and Casino is December 2014.
PLEASE CONTACT THE RVC COUNCILLOR FOR THE AREA (LOIS HABBERFIELD) AND GET HER COMMENTS ON HOW SHE FEELS THAT THE PROJECT IS FINALLY GETTING UDERWAY
