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Grand ‘re-opening’ set for all-weather track at Horse Park |
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Thursday, 19 June 2008 |
SDN Staff Reports
The staff of the Mississippi Horse Park will have much to celebrate Friday when formally reopen the facility's all-weather track.
The "Grand Re-opening" and ribbon cutting for the facility's 5/8-mile all weather track has been set for 11 a.m. Friday.
The celebration, which is open to the public, will begin with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 11 a.m. During the ceremony, those attending can watch harness horses diagonally gait around the track.
The ceremony will be followed by a reception in the Jim Buck Ross Room, which is located along the concourse in the indoor arena at the Horse Park.
Refreshments and Mississippi State University ice cream will be provided.
The expansion of the all-weather track involved the removal of 65,000 cubic yards of dirt removed from the center of the track, said Horse Park Manager Bricklee Miller
Removing the hill from the center of the harness track was part of an $800,000 project to expand the Horse Park and keep up with the increasing demand.
"By removing this massive amount of dirt, the racers and spectators will now be able to see around the entire track and can adequately clock times. With these new accommodating improvements, the Horse Park will now be able to entice Harness racing promoters to establish annual events," Miller said.
"The Horse Park has created a new opportunity to facilitate sanctioned harness racing on what has been referred to as the best track in the state of Mississippi."
The dirt from the center of the track was put to good use as it was dispersed strategically on the Horse Park grounds and is now the foundation for a future barn and bathhouse.
The Horse Park complex now boasts 150 recreational vehicle sites with water and 30/50 electricity at each site.
"This allows us a great opportunity to pursue RV conventions, ext, and certainly anyone coming to our area for a visit or to attend an MSU game," Miller said.
For more information about Friday's event, call Miller at 325-9350.
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Last Updated ( Friday, 20 June 2008 )
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