Those not impressed by the improvements will inevitably be pointing their fingers at the New York Racing Association. They will conclude that this is just another desperate attempt by the non-profit management group that runs New York’s largest thoroughbred racetracks – Aqueduct, Belmont Park and Saratoga – to make itself look good as it tries to save a franchise it has held since 1955. NYRA’s current contract expires at the end of the year and the group filed for bankruptcy in 2006.

Charles Hayward has heard these grumblings before and is quick to shrug off any negative implications the improvements may create. The NYRA president, along with new Saratoga Facilities Manager Charles Wheeler, walked with his head held high Monday afternoon as he led a media tour of the upgraded facilities.

“If people want to criticize us for taking care of the facility and taking care of the customers, so be it,” Hayward said.

The gates open for the 139th season of racing at Saratoga on July 25.

Each year, Saratoga is decorated with more than 60,000 plants and many flowers are already adorning the grounds. Most are provided by Dehn’s Florist of Saratoga Springs.

Saratoga Race Course employs 27 full-time maintenance workers year-round. The workers were busy Monday putting on the finishing touches at the 350-acre park that houses 220 buildings, some still standing from the 1880s.

Probably the most visible renovation is 9,000 square-feet of copper on the lower clubhouse roof. The former copper roofing and decking was deteriorating and Wheeler noted that the bright color of the new copper will age with time. The total cost, including work expenses, came to $260,000.

“We worked with local architects and the Preservation Foundation to ensure that the new design complimented the existing look and was compatible with the historic look of the sight,” Wheeler said.

The 7,800 square-feet lower clubhouse floor was removed and completely re-installed. The tongue and groove fir flooring was sanded and sealed to pull out the rich, natural grain and color. The total cost of this facet of the renovation was $111,000.

“We found a 1954 program and I believe a 1952 pari-mutuel ticket underneath the floor when we took it up,” Wheeler said. “We had to take the entire floor up and reinforce the joists. It’s really exciting.”

All public restrooms at the track now have hot water ($400,000). The domestic hot water system was added to the clubhouse and to a portion of the grandstand that was not previously served. The installation will result in reduced electrical consumption.

Other trackside improvements include the installation of metal snow slide roofing on the clubhouse ($90,000) and awning and canopy replacement at each of the 37 television monitor stations ($165,000).

Near the Oklahoma Training Track, five barns are fully restored. Originally constructed in the 1880s, each barn (90 total stalls) was raised and leveled and then placed on new footings. New doors – reflecting the original design – were constructed and new flooring, windows and shed row supports were put in place. The total cost of renovating the barns was $280,000.

Of interest to international race fans is the addition of simulcast wagering from racetracks in the United Kingdom. Each morning, fans can have “Breakfast with the Brits” and watch racing at a new simulcast facility located just inside the main gates on Union Avenue.

Despite these trying times for his organization, Hayward feels like NYRA is moving forward and customers will once again enjoy the Saratoga experience they’ve become accustomed to.  

“I think there’s been an impression that NYRA is running out of money and they’re letting the building go. I think people are going to walk in and think that it looks better than it has in 10 years,” Hayward said. “People have always had a good feeling when they’ve walked through the front gate. I think with all the uncertainty of the franchise and concerns about the bankruptcy, I think all that’s going to go away. They’ll be there to have a good racing experience, which is what it’s really all about.”