The Anderson Board of Zoning Appeals approved plans Monday night for the addition of 2,000 slot machines in a new facility for the horsetrack.
The plans call for a 92,000-square-foot building, doubling the interior square-footage at Hoosier Park, which would sit north of the standing building with a connector facility between the two.
Dick Donnelly, an Anderson consultant for Hoosier Park, said the plans submitted were basically the footprint of the new building.
"We'll probably be back in November with a more detailed plan," he said.
On Aug. 7, the Anderson Park Board got its first glimpse at the plans for the expansion. Hoosier Park will meet with Indiana Horse Racing Commission today at 10 a.m. for its final approval on the submitted plans, said Rick Moore, Hoosier Park president.
Jeff Smith, Centaur Racing CEO, said he was excited for the opportunity to add slot machines.
"In the past, we've tried to utilize (the facilities) to the benefit of the community any way we can, and we hope to continue to do that," he said.
Smith and Moore said they hoped the groundbreaking ceremony would be in mid-September, but they could not make definitive plans until everything was approved.
"We think this is the best possible product we can give you," Moore said to the board.
Rudy Williams, member of the BZA, said he hoped the facility would be something Anderson residents could be proud of.
"I just hope this is really a state-of-the-art facility," he said.
Board Chairwoman Connie Klungness also said she hoped the new building would be better than similar places in Indiana.
"I don't think anybody else will hold a candle to it," she said.
The Indiana General Assembly approved legislation earlier this year that would allow Hoosier Park and Indiana Downs in Shelbyville to add 2,000 slot machines to each track.
The new facility at Hoosier Park will be a one-story building that will house the slots, a specialty bar, deli, gift shop, rewards section and cage area, according to the plans submitted to the BZA.
Also, Smith and Moore said they would return to BZA to add 800 parking spaces, increasing parking to 2,000 spots at the racino.
Once plans are approved and construction begins, Smith said, Hoosier Park will release more detailed plans regarding jobs and other developments in the area.