Anderson's Hoosier Park plans 90,000-square-foot casino to house slots

Hoosier Park officials plan to build a 90,000-square-foot casino to house slot machines.

On Tuesday, Centaur Racing CEO Jeff Smith and Hoosier Park President Rick Moore delivered a presentation to the Anderson Park Board outlining the plans.

"We're here to ask your blessing, to let you know about our desires to have slot machines there," Smith said. "We have plans to add a separate building to house the slots."

Hoosier Park leases property from the city of Anderson and the city has oversight over some operations. Plans must now be approved by the Anderson Board of Zoning Appeals before moving on to the Indiana Gaming Commission and Indiana Horse Racing Commission.

At 92,696 square feet, the new building would more than double the interior square-footage at Hoosier Park. The new casino will be located directly north of the existing clubhouse and grandstand building and the two structures would be joined by a connector housing a staircase, two escalators and an elevator.

Smith and Moore brought a proposed site plan drafted by Beam, Longest & Neff LLC, an Indianapolis-based planning firm. Dick Donnelly, an Anderson-based consultant representing Hoosier Park, said the plans were drafted with all the amenities in mind.

"It would have a bar; it would have food," Donnelly said. "It would have all the things you would expect from a facility of its kind."

"Only nicer," Moore interjected.

Hoosier Park officials previously considered building a temporary casino, but decided to forego that plan in favor of building a permanent structure. Smith said plan approval could come by the end of the summer or early fall.

"This process is all new to us," Moore said. "We can't predict how another board may act, so it's difficult to say when we might get started. As things go along, I think the timeline will become clearer."

Parking would also be expanded under the plan to add 800 parking spaces to the 1,200 now available. Smith said the southernmost barn could be moved, depending on the demand for parking."

"This (existing) facility is going to receive significant upgrades, as well," Smith said. "I think it's going to be phenomenal; it's going to be spectacular. It's something all of you as a community can be proud of."

Hoosier Park is also in the process of acquiring 19 acres from Virgil Cook, which has already been rezoned for commercial purposes.

In February, Hoosier Park majority owner Centaur acquired Churchill Down's interest in the track. In April, the Indiana General Assembly approved legislation to allow slot machine gaming at Indiana's two pari-mutuel horse racing tracks, Hoosier Park in Anderson and Indiana Downs in Shelbyville.

House Enrolled Act 1835 authorized 2,000 slot machines at each track but required a $300 million licensing fee to be paid to the state. On Nov. 1, the first $150 million payment is due.