BEYOND THE GRANDSTAND: HISTORIC ARCHITECTURE AND LANDSCAPE OF THE SARATOGA RACE COURSE BACKSTRETCH

The Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation presents BEYOND THE GRANDSTAND: HISTORIC ARCHITECTURE AND LANDSCAPE OF THE SARATOGA RACE COURSE BACKSTRETCH sponsored by the Alfred Z. Solomon Charitable Trust on Monday, July 26th at 7:00 p.m. at the Saratoga Springs Public Library at 49 Henry Street. Kim Konrad Alvarez of Landmark Consulting and Martha Lyon of Martha Lyon Landscape Architects, the consultants hired to complete Phase I of the inventory of the Saratoga Race Course which focuses on areas of the backstretch, will share what they have uncovered during their research; discuss the historic character; and seek community input concerning the history and traditions of the track.
The early beginnings of racing in Saratoga and the development of the race course starting in 1847 will be presented. Major landscape and architectural features will be highlighted from the pine grove used for “cooling” the horses to the mid-19th century residential, utilitarian buildings, and barns. The expansion that followed the purchase of the Race Course in 1900 by a syndicate of wealthy businessmen headed by William Collins Whitney will be discussed. The features of distinctive areas such as Horse Haven, Belmont Surcingle & Madden Court Barns, Sanford Barns, Millionaire Row, and the Fasig-Tipton Barn/Oklahoma Annex will be examined as well as the changes that were made by the New York Racing Association (NYRA) since 1955 to present. This program is FREE and open to the public.
This is one part of the comprehensive inventory of the Saratoga Race Course that was included in the final agreement that awarded the New York Racing Association (NYRA) the franchise. In 2007, the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation through the Saratoga Race Course Preservation Coalition became concerned about the long-term preservation of the historic features of the Saratoga Race Course while the negotiations for the franchise of the New York racing were taking place. The Coalition and the Foundation were very pleased that the New York Racing Association (NYRA) agreement with New York State required an appointed Local Advisory Board to complete an inventory of the over 200 buildings and 350 acres of the Saratoga Race Course.
In April 2008, the Foundation sought grant funding available through Preserve NY Grant Program. In order to apply for the funding, the Foundation had to have an approved preservation consultant on its team. The Foundation selected Landmark Consulting, Inc. of Albany and immediately began working with Kim Konrad Alvarez and sub-consultant Martha Lyon, a landscape architect, to determine a scope of work in conjunction with input from Paul Roberts of Turnberry Consulting, a consultant hired by NYRA to develop a capital improvement plan. It immediately became apparent that due to the large scale of the inventory, over 200 buildings and 350 acres, that the inventory would need to be completed in phases. On March 4, 2010, the Local Advisory Board unanimously passed a resolution to enter into an agreement with the Foundation to execute a multi-phase inventory.
To-date the Foundation has raised $32,000 to go towards the inventory. In December 2008, the Foundation received an $8,000 grant from the Alfred Z. Solomon Charitable Trust. Phase I of the inventory will permanently carry the name of the Trust founder, Alfred Z. Solomon, an avid horse racing fan. This initial grant of $8,000 served an important role in leveraging additional funds. In September of this past year the Foundation received a $9,000 Preserve New York Grant, a grant program funded by the Preservation League of New York State and the New York State Council on the Arts.
NYRA also made a $5,000 contribution towards completion of Phase I of the inventory. “NYRA has always been aware of the unique history of Saratoga Race Course and the need to maintain the existing buildings and landscape into the future. We are also aware that the buildings at Saratoga would benefit from investment in the short term. Any plans for capital improvements, dependent on the timing of any VLT monies, will involve early work at Saratoga. Given this, we are delighted by the pro-active approach of the Saratoga Local Advisory Board and the relationship that they have struck with the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation. We have worked closely with both groups during their fundraising process to ensure we understand their objectives and how they could benefit the future sustainability of the Race Course. In particular, the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation has demonstrated a clear understanding of what is needed for the race course and Saratoga to be successful. Close collaboration will result in the best outcome for all concerned. To this end we were pleased to contribute to the fund raising effort for an exercise that should augment the Racecourse for generations to come,” said Charles Hayward, NYRA President and CEO.
In April, the Saratoga County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) approved an application submitted by the City of Saratoga Springs for a $10,000 grant to complete funding for Phase I. In 2006, the Saratoga County IDA studied the annual economic impact the Saratoga Race Course has on the region and determined that it has a $200 million impact. “The IDA board strongly supports the City’s and Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation’s plan to identify and protect the irreplaceable historic assets of the Saratoga Race Course which are such a vital part of its unmatched economic success in the thoroughbred industry in the United States,” said Raymond Callanan, Chairman of the IDA.