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.
The new Norman S. Johnson Aquatics Center at Arcadia Community Regional Park (Arcadia County Park) is officially open and was celebrated yesterday by county supervisor Michael Antonovich and other local officials. The nearly $10 million project replaced the old 50-meter pool with a 6,150 s.f. competition swimming pool, and a 6,300 s.f. recreation and therapy pool with an integrated splash pad.
Los Angeles County Supervisors approved an $8.5 million budget to complete a new pool facility at Arcadia County Park by May 2013. Sparano & Mooney Architecture will create initial "scoping" designs that contractors will use to bid on aspects of the project.
Basketball court returns to Arcadia's Eisenhower Park renovation plans. Arcadia City Council voted 3-to-2 to add one full basketball court. See also hard copy in VF Parks.
John Shear (pictured), a 5-foot, 110-pound, 90-year-old paddock supervisor at Santa Anita Park, nearly lost his life when he threw himself in the path of a runaway horse on March 12 to protect a little girl he didn't know. He has worked seasonally for Santa Anita Park for nearly 50 years. He sustained a fractured pelvis and other injuries but is recuperating at home now. He is a hero.
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.
Jin opens in Westfield Santa Anita mall. It is an eyewear fashion store from Japan. It takes thirty minutes for a pair of eyeglasses. Prices start at $60, complete with lenses and frame. Arcadia Councilman Sho Tay was at grand opening.
Arcadia City Council member and Mayor Pro Tem Roger Chandler said he wouldn't want the basketball courts rebuilt because he doesn't like the "type" they attract. The old courts have been demolished already and City Council eventually recommitted to an improvement plan that permanently eliminates Eisenhower Park's basketball courts. Chandler's comments prompted an immediate uproar from residents in attendance. Council member April Verlato said his use of the phrase "the type" could be perceived as racist but doesn't think he meant it that way, but he should apologize. The renovated park will cost nearly $6.3 million, including a baseball diamond and large picnic area.
Tonight Arcadia City Council will explore building a new $12 million City Hall after the proposal was shelved in 2009 for financial reasons. The existing City Hall is undergoing a $2.3 million renovation and remodeling that includes a new heating and air conditioning system, energy efficient windows, new wiring, carpeting and painting. If Council moves forward with new building, the existing one could be used as a community center.
Proposed logistics center in Arcadia could impact traffic and El Monte residents. A former gravel mine (quarry) may soon become a 1.6 million square foot logistics center and industrial park on an 81-acre site on the southeastern end of Arcadia. Property owner is John Edwards, Jr. El Monte City Manager Jesus Gomez is working with Arcadia and the developer to protect El Monte residents. With enough mitigation measures, if approved by Arcadia City Council, construction could begin after the reclamation is complete, as early as 2017.
Arcadia City Council approves $55.7 million General Fund budget for fiscal year 2015-2016. Officials anticipate revenue totaling $59.7 million, enabling $4.5 million in funds transfers toward road and park improvements, staff equipment upgrades, a boost to the general liability and workers' compensation fund, establishing a reserve fund for building a new City Hall and nearly $500,000 in new programs and employees.
Construction of the Gold Line Foothill Extension will create nearly 7000 new jobs and pump nearly $1 billion into the region's economy, according to a new study of the project.
Breeders' Cup nets big bucks for this region's economy. This is the eighth time and third time in a row that Breeders' Cup was held at Santa Anita Park. A recent study by Tourism Economics reveals that the 2013 Breeders' Cup generated nearly $65 million in direct and indirect economic benefits for Los Angeles County.
Breeders' Cup puts on a new face at Santa Anita Park. The 30th Breeders' Cup is horse racing's championship series. Fashion bloggers came out to the big event.
Live racing returns to Santa Anita Park for its Autumn Meet, which runs September 30-November 6, 2011. This fall features racing on Thursdays through Sundays.
Santa Anita Park race track attendance is on the upswing. It drew 40,810 on Friday, its biggest opening day turnout since 2011. On-track attendance was up 33% over last year, partly because of the free infield admission program, which drew more than 10,000 people. Total wagering, including bets placed from all over the country, rose nearly 30% to more than $17 million. On-site betting was more than $3.4 million. The City of Arcadia gets 1/3 of 1% of all on-site wagering.
Santa Anita Park's synthetic track surface will be removed and a new $5 million plus dirt surface, closely resembling the ones at Churchill Downs, Gulfstream Park and the Oklahoma training track at Saratoga, will be installed. Ted Malloy is the racing surface consultant. He hopes to have the new track in by December 6.
Santa Anita Park is making a bid for the 2012 Breeders' Cup. Former Breeders' Cup CEO Greg Avioli has taken over as Chief Executive Officer of Stronach Entertainment, and now oversees Stronach Group's race tracks and other assets. Avioli's experience brings strength to Santa Anita Park's bid. Santa Anita Park last hosted the Breeders' Cup in 2008 and 2009. The city of Arcadia gets one-third of 1 percent of all monies bet on the track. The event generated nearly $57,000 in betting handle in 2008 and nearly $58,000 in 2009 for the city.