A new track in Delaware?

[billrock]

Delawareonline.com is reporting that a pair of real estate developers want to build a harness racetrack, and have applied to the Delaware Harness Racing Commission for a meet of 45 to 60 days -- summer dates on which neither Dover Downs or Harrington Raceway would be in operation.
The Web site reported that the track, to be named Del Pointe, would be built on 110 acres located between Georgetown and Millsboro, Del., located approximately 40 miles south of Dover, Del. and 30 miles southeast of Harrington, Del. It would be built for a reported $60 million, and feature a one-mile track, a 2,500 seat grandstand, and 750 seat clubhouse.
The individuals spearheading the application are Gene Lankford and Preston Schell, the chairman and president, respectively, of Ocean Atlantic Cos. The latter, a Rehoboth Beach, Del. resident, is a former U.S. Trotting Association member.
"They have officially handed in the application to the commission," Hugh Gallagher, the Commission's executive director, told delawareonline.com. "They filled it out in detail and dotted every ‘I’ and every ‘T.’ This is not some fly-by-night group that doesn't know everything that needs to be done or (what) is involved. This is definitely a serious application."
The partners did not provide for a slot machine parlor, although they said they would not rule out such an application in the future. They said they would draw fans from the summer population at Rehoboth Beach, an extremely popular seaside destination.
The Delaware Standardbred Owners Association’s executive director, Sal DiMario, said in a press release that the SOA "supports live racing opportunities, and would love to see a track (near Rehoboth Beach)."

[spicytomato]

thanks a bunch

i will certainly keep eyes open for this one

[cre8flow]

trying to get a track and later a casino close to rehobeth


ocean city a bit too far

as is harrington and dover

casino could be a smash luring beach goers away from ocean city md even atlantic city and southern jersey-if they did it right people from southern jersey could take the ferry which goes from cape may nj to cape henlopen de

[billrock]

From harnessracing.com

Proposed Delaware tracks gets conditional commission approval
August 13, 2008


The Delaware Harness Racing Commission on Tuesday gave conditional approval for a proposed harness racetrack in Delaware, however before the commission awards any racing dates necessary zoning changes and permits will need to be obtained and site plans submitted that meets the commission’s approval.

The proposed track just north of Millsboro, in the southern portion of the state, is owned by Gene Lankford and Preston Schell and will be called Del Pointe. The track will be a one-mile oval, with the 110-acre site also consisting of a 2,500-seat grandstand and a 750-seat clubhouse. There are presently no plans for slots, with the owners reportedly hoping to begin racing in 2011.

[johnav]

I know the area around there I used to go there during the summer, and I guess the business model they would emulate would be Ocean Downs. I stayed one time in Milsboro and it is about 15 minutes from US-1 which is the strip for Rehoboth Beach. There really is not much going on at night, as it is a Family Destination and Big Time Gay and Lesbian attraction. Most of the night life are amusments, boardwalk small pubs etc.

I doubt that is poses a threat to AC beacuse that Cape May Ferry is an Hour and 15 minute ride.

I would assume that the attendence would be pretty good though

[cre8flow]

slot players are loyal

but they do stray..can see older folks in sjersey occasionally taking the ferry for trips to break up the the boredom-cant say its a threat to AC but if i owned the place i would be thinking about trying to lure these folks

if the casino is 20 minutes outside of rehobeth i can see it working

or if the casino is 10 minutes off US-1 i can see a lot of people stopping in on friday nights going south to the beach for the weekends