SARATOGA SPINGS, NY: After two years of fundraising the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation has successfully raised the necessary funds to complete Phase I of the inventory of the Saratoga Race Course. A comprehensive inventory of all buildings and landscape features of the Saratoga Race Course is part of the final agreement that awarded the New York Racing Association (NYRA) the franchise.
In 2007, the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation through the Saratoga Race Course Preservation Coalition became concerned about the long-term preservation of the historic features of the Saratoga Race Course while the negotiations for the franchise of the New York racing were taking place. The Coalition and the Foundation were very pleased that the New York Racing Association (NYRA) agreement with New York State required an appointed Local Advisory Board to complete an inventory of the over 200 buildings and 350 acres of the Saratoga Race Course.
The Foundation knew that an inventory would be costly and would take significant time and effort to raise the necessary funds. In April 2008, the Foundation’s Board made the decision to initiate steps to determine the scope of work required to complete an inventory in addition to undertaking raising funds for the inventory in an effort to assist the Local Advisory Board with their legislative charge to complete an inventory, an unfunded mandate. As a 501(c)3 not-for-profit, the Foundation recognized it would be better positioned to request grant funding than an appointed committee legislated by the state.
In April 2008, the Foundation sought grant funding available through Preserve NY Grant Program. In order to apply for the funding, the Foundation had to have an approved preservation consultant on its team. The Foundation selected Landmark Consulting, Inc. of Albany and immediately began working with Kim Konrad Alvarez and sub-consultant Martha Lyon, a landscape architect, to determine a scope of work in conjunction with input from Paul Roberts of Turnberry Consulting, a consultant hired by NYRA to develop a capital improvement plan. It immediately became apparent that due to the large scale of the inventory, over 200 buildings and 350 acres, that the inventory would need to be completed in phases. At the Local Advisory Board’s last meeting on March 4, 2010 it unanimously passed a resolution to enter into an agreement with the Foundation to execute a multi-phase inventory.
Phase I of the inventory will consist of an architectural building resource survey of several areas identified as potential capital improvement areas as well as a complete cultural resource survey of the entire landscape of the Saratoga Race Course. The total cost of Phase I is $32,000.
In December 2008, the Foundation received an $8,000 grant from the Alfred Z. Solomon Charitable Trust. Phase I of the inventory will permanently carry the name of the Trust founder, Alfred Z. Solomon, an avid horse racing fan. This initial grant of $8,000 served an important role in leveraging additional funds. In September of this past year the Foundation received a $9,000 Preserve New York Grant, a grant program funded by the Preservation League of New York State and the New York State Council on the Arts.
NYRA also made a $5,000 contribution towards completion of Phase I of the inventory. “NYRA has always been aware of the unique history of Saratoga Race Course and the need to maintain the existing buildings and landscape into the future. We are also aware that the buildings at Saratoga would benefit from investment in the short term. Any plans for capital improvements, dependent on the timing of any VLT monies, will involve early work at Saratoga. Given this, we are delighted by the pro-active approach of the Saratoga Local Advisory Board and the relationship that they have struck with the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation. We have worked closely with both groups during their fundraising process to ensure we understand their objectives and how they could benefit the future sustainability of the Race Course. In particular, the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation has demonstrated a clear understanding of what is needed for the race course and Saratoga to be successful. Close collaboration will result in the best outcome for all concerned. To this end we were pleased to contribute to the fund raising effort for an exercise that should augment the Racecourse for generations to come,” said Charles Hayward, NYRA President and CEO.
On Monday, April 12th the Saratoga County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) approved an application submitted by the City of Saratoga Springs for a $10,000 grant to complete funding for Phase I. In 2006, the Saratoga County IDA studied the annual economic impact the Saratoga Race Course has on the region and determined that it has a $200 million impact. “The IDA board strongly supports the City’s and Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation’s plan to identify and protect the irreplaceable historic assets of the Saratoga Race Course which are such a vital part of its unmatched economic success in the thoroughbred industry in the United States,” said Raymond Callanan, Chairman of the IDA.
The Foundation sincerely thanks all of those who have generously contributed to this important inventory.
(518) 587-5030
info@saratogapreservation.org
