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Historic Saratoga Race Course
Race Course Preservation Coalition
&
Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation
present
Looking to the Future:
An Approach to Saratoga Race Course
Paul Roberts
Turnberry Consulting
Wednesday, July 8th, 2009
7:00 PM
H. Dutcher Community Room
Saratoga Springs Public Library
49 Henry Street
Free & Open to the Public
For more information please call (518) 587-5030
In 2008, Paul Roberts of Turnberry Consulting was appointed by New York Racing Association (NYRA) to advise on how to direct the capital improvements following the confirmation of NYRA’s new franchise. Paul will explain his strategic review of NYRA’s three tracks, the historic research carried out to-date at Saratoga and the criteria which will frame future investment at the tracks.
Saratoga Race Course is the jewel of American Thoroughbred Racing, and is an important economic and cultural/historic resource in Saratoga Springs and the upstate region. The Preservation Foundation and its coalition partners are extremely concerned about the future integrity of the buildings and landscape features of Saratoga Race Course.
Good intentions are not enough to assure the preservation of the Race Course.
In May 2007, the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation formed the Saratoga Race Course Coalition to advocate for a thoughtful, balanced approach to the preservation and modernization at the Saratoga Race Course. It is important that the Saratoga Race Course retains its essential character as the Race Course looks to the future. Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation and its coalition of state and national historic preservation organizations, county and municipal government officials, thoroughbred industry professionals and local business owners advocate that a four-pronged approach be required by the Governor and Legislature in awarding the New York Racing Franchise :
Inventory: Compile a complete, updated historic resources inventory identifying all buildings and landscape features and their current condition.
Protect: Incorporate all buildings and landscaped features of historic, architectural or cultural significance into the Union Avenue local historic district.
Plan: Prepare a comprehensive facilities management plan including design standards for the Saratoga Race Course.
Oversee: Establish a formal oversight process to review all renovations, additions or demolitions at the Saratoga Race Course.
Saratoga Springs is pleased to report that significant progress had been made. Since the formation of the Coalition, the local Union Avenue historic district has been expanded to incorporate the Oklahoma Track as well as parcels along 5th Avenue and Caroline Street. In February, the Governor and State Legislature reached an agreement on resolving the future of thoroughbred racing in Saratoga Springs. The provisions of this agreement include: calling for an inventory of all structures and landscape attributes of the Saratoga Race Course; a review of NYRA's capital plan by the State Historic Preservation Office; and the creation of a local advisory board made up of representatives appointed by the Mayor, County Board of Supervisors and NYRA. An announcement naming the representatives to the local advisory board is anticipated soon. Most recently, the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation submitted an application for a PreserveNY grant, a program of the Preservation League of the State of New York, for funding to hire a consultant to complete a comprehensive inventory of the track.
We invite you to read more about the history and architecture at the Saratoga Race Course and to learn more about the potential threat to its preservation. Please take action by Signing On to the Saratoga Race Course Preservation Coalition.
If you would like to download a copy of the position paper, please click here.
The Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation is proud to present Saratoga Race Course Watercolor Originals by Ashley Halsey. The Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation comissioned Ashley Halsey to paint watercolors that capture the sense of place of the Saratoga Race Course. Ashley grew up in Stonington, Connecticut and learned to paint with watercolors at a young age. Ashley completed her BA in Studio Art at Skidmore College in 2007. In February 2008, the Adirondack Trust Company printed Saratoga: A Historical Guide, a book that Ashley illustrated, designed and wrote. Currently Ashley lives in Brooklyn, New York and works at Harper Collins Publishers as an Assistant Designer. Ashley is honored to be involved with the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation and the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation is honored to have her beautiful watercolors help raise awareness of the importance of preserving the Race Course.
Ashley Halsey's watercolors can be viewed online at our online gallery. Pricing on the original watercolors and prints can be found at our online gallery.
Please contact us if you are interested in purchasing watercolors or prints.
Historic Saratoga Race Course Grandstand with its signature turreted roof
All Photographs from the Beckerman Archive, Mark Beckerman Photographer, copyright 2005, Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation
"The Paddock", Ashley Halsey, 2008.
To Contact Us:
Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation 112 Spring Street
Suite 203
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
