ATRIUM WORTH THE WAIT
The celebration – and
the wait – was well worth it.
Construction woes
delayed the original planned opening of Fraser Downs
Racetrack & Casino’s new Atrium but the scheduled
accompanying weeklong celebration was held regardless.
The gala was to signal
the end of months of construction at the Downs with the
Clubhouse and Grandstand buildings now connected by the
Atrium. The celebration ran from June 18 to June 24 and
among the highlights was the Cash Cyclone give-away which
had many Downs' guests walk away with cash winnings.
Lower Mainland rock
bands Luv Shak and March Hare, along with Sara Ramsay,
provided entertainment throughout the week. Unfortunately
they were unable to use the new show lounge in the Atrium.
However, one week
later -- after construction workers did their best
impression of a beehive --- the Atrium opened.
To say it adds an
impressive feature to the Downs is an understatement.
The Atrium – as the
name suggests, a glass showcase -- houses the new welcome
centre (guest services), Pacers Café, with simulcast
televisions and wagering machines, and the On The Rail Bar
and Show Lounge where live entertainment can be provided and
will be each and every Friday, starting at 8 p.m., in July.
The B.C. Harness
Racing Hall of Fame will also be housed in the Atrium area.
Meanwhile, the work
continues.
The new Downs’ Race
Book (a simulcast area in the old Legends lounge) will open
Monday, July 4. It will include 300 individual betting
carrels and 40 locations in the smoking area. There is bar
and food service in the Race Book.
With all that
completed, construction workers have moved into the
Homestretch, Finish Line and Upper Clubhouse areas for more
upgrades.
That work should be
completed by the tentative opening day return of live
harness racing on Sept. 30