Racing returns for Santa Anita Park's 2013 autumn meet. Racetrack unveils $15 million renovation including a renovated clubhouse mezzanine, horseshoe shaped bar, new food options, improved audiovisual experience.
John Shear is gone but never forgotten at Santa Anita Park. Retired Paddock Captain John Shear died Tuesday at a rehabilitation facility in Arcadia. He was 102 years old.
Arcadia City Council last week approved expanding the kinds of outdoor special events allowed at Santa Anita Park race track, and in the adjacent parking lot areas, including concerts, carnivals, and farmers markets. The change will allow the track to host the California Philharmonic summer concerts and possibly Cavalia, a Cirque du Soleil show. Councilman Roger Chandler said the amendments made to the city's municipal code allow a very large and underused piece of land, specifically the south parking lot, to be used and to generate additional income for the track.
In a strongly worded letter to Canadian mogul Frank Stronach, Arcadia city officials urged Santa Anita Park's owner to work with developer Rick Caruso and finish the proposed upscale Shops at Santa Anita mall project that has been in the works for the last five years. Stronach's MI Developments (MID) voided its contract with Caruso following bankruptcy restructuring at Santa Anita Park. In a further flexing of city muscle, the letter stated that it "looks forward to working with the race track in future projects that require City approval."
The City Council will likely approve Westfield Shoppingtown Santa Anita's mall expansion for the outdoor section known as The Promenade if Westfield can resolve parking issues that will arise during construction.
International businessman and horse owner Frank Stronach confirmed Tuesday that he and Meditrust, the parent company of Santa Anita Park, have signed a letter of intent under which he will buy the race track.
A multi-million dollar remodeling at Santa Anita Park will include a restoration of the Chandelier Room to its former glamour. The room is nearly 80 years old (probably not true, according to Sandy Snider), and is the most popular event venue at the track. Other portions of the grandstand will be renovated and will remain true to the architectural and design style of the Art Deco period that originally inspired it.
Santa Anita Park is looking to renovate the Chandelier Room, which is part of Turf Club. It would be gutted and turned into a "night club." The Chandelier Room has been around since the race track opened on Christmas Day, 1934 (probably not true, according to Sandy Snider). Its giant chandeliers were imported from Versailles in France.
Starting this spring, the new owner of Santa Anita Park, Frank Stronach, is planning the first of what will likely be massive renovations to the horse racing facility.