Aqueduct Racetrack, Queens, NYGRW has been working with the New York Racing Association (NYRA) to complete several improvement projects at two of the association's tracks. NYRA is the not-for-profit corporation that operates the three largest thoroughbred horse-racing tracks in the state of New York: Aqueduct Racetrack in South Ozone Park, Queens; Belmont Park in Elmont, and Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs.
Belmont Vehicle Maintenance Facility. To expand Belmont Park’s overall maintenance capacity, GRW designed a three-bay vehicle wash facility. The new building houses two track watering vehicles, one wash bay, and associated equipment.
The facility was designed with radiant gas heating and an energy efficient building envelope to maintain operation during all seasons. The wash bay was designed with waterproof finishes, a self-contained gas heated pressure washer system, and water containment measures, including a grease interceptor system. The buildings are constructed of concrete and wood wall framing with Belmont Park facility standard metal siding and roofing systems.
Belmont Training Track and Safety Rail. GRW designed the widening of the Belmont Park training track to allow room for more horses to train. The track was widened from approximately 60 feet to a range of 70 to 90 feet. It included excavation for placement of new track base and sand cushion, drainage, and relocation of utilities and a retaining wall. The project was completed in a very short time frame to be ready for horses shipping in for training prior to the Derby. It also included new outside rail and new safety rail on the inside. The project was completed in a very short time frame while horses were running at Saratoga Springs.
Aqueduct Track Rehabilitation. At Aquaduct, GRW is providing civil/site engineering services, including grading, drainage, and geometry for the improvements at all three racing tracks. The project rehabilitates the main/outer dirt track (5,940 feet/9 furlongs) replacing the existing surface and dirt surface. The middle dirt track (5,280 feet/8 furlongs) is being rebuilt with a new stone base and new turf surface. The inner turf track (4,663 feet/7 furlongs) will also be improved.