Wedoany.com Report on Feb 7th, Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, recently announced that it has selected Calhoun Construction Services to build a new seating structure named "Victory Runway." The project, with an estimated investment of $280 to $300 million, will construct a four-story building containing 7,800 seats to replace the existing approximately 6,400 seats. The new facility will feature private suites, indoor and outdoor dining areas, and covered box seats.
The "Victory Runway" will be located at the first turn of the one-mile racetrack, between the First Turn Club and the Skye Terrace. Track management stated that this location offers unobstructed views of the 1,234.5-foot-long straightaway and the finish line. The project is scheduled to commence after the approval of incentive measures by the City of Louisville and relevant Kentucky state agencies. Construction is expected to begin after the Kentucky Derby on May 2, 2026, with the goal of completion before the races on May 6, 2028.
Jeff Palmquist, Project Executive at Calhoun, noted: "The project involves demolishing the existing seating area and constructing new stands, suites, and hospitality areas. Beyond the tight timeline, the project itself presents numerous challenges." Due to the construction site's proximity to the operational racetrack, it is essential to ensure that horse racing activities and daily operations are not disrupted. To this end, Calhoun plans to implement a two-shift system, initially working at night and later adjusting to daytime hours based on the racing schedule, but not starting before 10:00 AM to accommodate horse training.
Palmquist further explained: "The new building is situated between two existing structures, with the racetrack directly in front, making space very limited. The foundation, steel structure, prefabricated components, and concrete work must be meticulously coordinated, and the final access will be reduced to a single entrance." Additionally, all construction will be suspended during the 153rd Kentucky Derby in 2027, requiring subcontractors to completely vacate the site and restore it to a safe, publicly accessible condition. The second year of construction will follow the pattern of the first year, alternating between night and day work while continuously coordinating to ensure normal racetrack operations.
Although other construction projects at Churchill Downs, valued at approximately $900 million, have been temporarily paused due to economic factors, the "Victory Runway" plan is still progressing. Darren Rogers, spokesperson for the racetrack, stated that the company has no comment at this time on when or if other projects will resume. Calhoun Construction Services has approximately twelve years of experience with construction projects at Churchill Downs, and undertaking the "Victory Runway" project will further solidify its involvement in the field of large-scale sports facility construction.
