A HORSE RACETRACK FOR THE SAN ANTONIO AREA
by Neal Braswell
A THESIS IN ARCHITECTURE
Submltted to the Architecture Faculty of the College of Architecture of Texas Tech University in Partial Fulfiilment for the Degree of
BACHELOR OF ARCHITECTURE
Uhalrrtnan^of the Commíttee
Programming Instructor (Arch 4395): Prof. R. Wayne Drummond Design Critic (Arch 4631): Prof. Mike Peters Thesis Advisors: Dr. Petrini, Prof. Jimmy Davis
ø^ean, College of Architecture December, 1987 Table of Contents
I. Thesls
1. Thesis Statement 4 2. DesignFocus 6 3. Processes 7
II. Background
4. Origin of the Horse 8 5. Early Uses of the Horse 9 6. Famous Horses in History and Legend 10 7- Kinds of Horses 11
III. Horse Racing
8. Evidences of Horse Racing 13
9. Origins of Horse Racing 14
IV. Horse Racíng in Texas
10. Background 18
11. Texas History of Pari-mutuel Wagering on Horses 18
V. Selected Case Studies
12. BelmontPark 23 13. Churchill Downs 24 14. Pimilco 25 15. Garden State Park 26 16. Louisiana Downs 35 17. The Meadowlands 36 VI. Síte Evaluation and Analysis 18. Site Criteria By Law 39 19. Site Criteria, Good Sense 39 20. Site Selection 40 21. Comal County Background 42 22. Adjacentand Supporting Counties 43 23. Climate 44 24. SoilData 45 25. SunAngles 47 26. Topology.. 48 27. Historical Built Enviroment 49
VII. Economic Analysis
28. Some Facts on Pari-Mutuel Wagering in Texas, a Potential $2 Billion-Dollar-a-Year Industry 55 29. Preliminary Costof Track 56 30. Costof the Racetrack 58
VII. Actívity Analysis
31. User Needs 60 32. Performers 62 33. Audience : 66 34. Stage Managers 66
IX. Detailed Space List
35. TheTrack 72 36. ThePaddock 73 37- The Grandstand 73 38. The Backstretch 74 39. Detailed Space List 75 40. SpaceSummary 114 41. Space Relationships 116 List of Figures
1. The Development of the Horse 8 2. Belmont Park Site Plan. 23 3. Churchill Downs Site Plan 24 4. Pimlico Park Site Plan 25 5. Garden State Park Site Plan 29 6. Garden State Park Ground Floor 29 7. Garden State Park Trackside 30 8. Garden State Park Grandstand 30 9. Garden State Park Mezzanine 31 10. Garden State Park Clubhouse 31 11. Garden State Park Phoenix 32 12. Garden State Park Press Box 32 13. Louisiana Downs Section 35 14. LargeColumns RestrictView 36 15. Meadowlands Structural System 37 16. Location Map 40 17. Comal County 41 18. Soil Cross Section 45 19. Soil DataOn Site 46 20. Sun Angle Chart 47 21. Topology Map 48 22. Church Steeple 49 23. Tax Appriasal Office 50 24. Court House, Old Building 50 25. Factory 51 26. Church 51 27. Bank 52 28. CourtHouse, NewAddition 52 29. Site 53 30. Looking Northeast from Site 53 List of Tables
1. Grandstand-Clubhouse Hierarchy 33 2. Mutuel Security 34 3. Temperatures in New Braunfels 44 4. Precipitation in New Braunfels 45 5. Track Relationship Matrix 116 6. Paddock Relationship Matrlx 116 7. Backstretch Relationship Matrix 116 8. Grandstand Relationship Matrix 117 Thesis Statement
I am interested in man's passion for competition and his admiration for beauty in nature. Throughout time man has competed in many events, from simple footraces between two men to tragic wars involving thousands. The objective of these competitions was to find out who was the strongest, fastest, most intelligent, or most powerful. Of the many events that produced such results, those competitions that were simple, beautiful, able to captivate an audience's attention survived and flourished. Events that pit man against man, in simple athletic competition, or beast raclng beast encompass both competition and emphiasize the beauty of the competitors. The athlete and beast alike, having trained hard and being physically fit, are beautifully proportioned. The joy of the competition is shared by competitors and spectators alike. There are many places in my home state of Texas to view and partake in competitions among men, but a void is found when looking for similar competitions among animals. One such event, full of beauty, is horse racing. The horse is a magnificent sight to behold at full gait in the height of a race ~ flesh and blood and pounding hoofs ~ cleariy, nature in the raw. But for all its beauty, horse racing is not without certain social, economic, and moral issues. Many people are for pari-mutuel betting and many are against it. Those against state that iegalizing gambling will generate more illegal gambling and attract organized crime; proponents disbelieve this because the legislation has adequate safeguards against organized crime. Also the profit margin is too low to attract organized crime. Opponents add that legalized gambling would increase animal abuse because of the racing of immature and injured animals, and the destruction of less productive ones. Proponents argue that because of the strict rules imposed by the Texas Horse Racing Association (the regulating body of horse racing in Texas) abuse to the horse is highly unlikely. Those for pari-mutuel wagering add that fees and taxes on the industry will generate millions of dollars in revenues for state and local governments; others feel these figures are exaggerated. Additionsl arguments against pari-mutuel wagering are: That it will absorb money that otherwise would be spent on consumer sales; that it effectively imposes a regressive tax on the poor because gamblers are drawn disproportionately from among the poor; and that gambling is a moral sin. Finally, proponents of horse racing argue that it would provide broad economic benefits through the construction and operation of new tracks. Horse racing would boost Texas' farm and rural economy by creating thousands of jobs supplying feed, bedding, and veterinary care, supplies, and equipment. Also, the approval of horse racing would keep dollars in Texas which are currently flowing to out-of-state tracks. Design Focus In order to fulfill my purposes I will need a functional racetrack that will seat an appropriate number of spectators/competitors. I will also need to set up many supporting facilities to insure that the spirit of competition is always high. Eloborate training grounds and large purses are also needed to draw in the top breeders, trainers, and horses to insure the track's success. l-arge audiences will also benefit the track. A jockey clubhouse with a locker room will be needed as well as a clubhouse for the breeders and trainers. The clubhouses will be more than places to change clothes; they will be places for the jockey, breeders, trainers, and owners to exchange ideas on better racing technique, thereby furthering the quality of competition. Through its architecture I will make the "place" designed to race horses a-plac& of enjoyment and excitement. I also feei the moral obligation to the obsessive gambler to make the racetrack a place that focuses on the beauty of the horse and the thrill of the race in itself, more than on the outcome of the race alone. Processes
My background in horse racing is very limíted; therefore, 1 will need to gain a better knowledge in all aspects of the industry. I will need to consult the encyclopedias for a general understanding. I will derive further information from industry-related magiazines and articles. I will investigate social, political, and economic implications. Further learning will come from actually visiting of several operational racetracks in the neighboring states and, I hope to work at the local Lubock Downs over the Christmas break. These experiences will greatly increase my understanding of the activities of the racetrack. In the following text I will present the evolution of the horse and horse racing. Then I will gradually work into the specifics of my proposed design of a racetrack. 8 Background
Origin of the Horse The horse is a mammal of the family Equidae. It compromises a single species, Equus caballas, whose numerous varieties are called breeds. i Scientist believe that the earliest ancestor of the horse was the Ekohippus (dawn horse), measuring 10 to 20 inches tall and living over 50 million years ago in North America and Europe. This prehistoric horse had four toes on its front feet and three toes on its rear feet, each individual toe resembled a small hoof. Over time the horse grew in size and its feet, with separate toes, evolved into hooves.
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No one knows where the horse orginated. Fossiis show that during the lce Age horses lived on every continent except Austraiia. Great herds wandered through North and South America; then, for unknown reasons, the horse disappeared from the Western hemisphere completely.3 Where the horse still existed and flourished, though, man began to find various uses for it 9 Early Uses of the Horse In prehistoric times the horse was hunted for food and its hide was used for clothing and shelter. The specific time of domestication of the horse is unknown, but it certainly was long after the domestication of the dog and of cattle.4 It is supposed that the horse was first used by a tribe of Indo-European origin that lived in the steppes north of the chain of mountains adjacent to the Black and Caspian seas over 5,000 years ago.5
Stone tablets show that the Hattites trained horses for sport and war about 1400 B.C. The Assyrians, about 800 B.C., hunted lions in two-wheeled chariots drawn by a pair of horses. Tapestries show early Persians playing a kind of polo. The early Greeks and Romans were expert riders and used horses for racing and other sports; they also used the horse in war. The Greeks wrote about horsemanship as early as 400 B.C. 6
In 1066, William the Conqueror used mounted horses to invade England. The English then began to breed large, powerful war horses that could carry a man wearing a heavy suit of armor. During the 1300s, after armies began using gunpowder, swift, light steeds began to replace the large mounts of the knights.7 Many horses achieved greatness in history and legend for various feats both actual and fictional. The importance given to such horses indicates the great admiration of the beast throughout time. The following is a list of such great horses. 10 Famous Horses in History and Legend
Al Borak carried Muhammad from the earth to the seventh heaven, according to Muslim legend. Aristides won the first Kentucky Derby in 1895. Black Horse, from the Bible (Revelation), is the horse of famine. Bucephalus could be ridden only by Alexander the Great, who founded the city of Bucephala about 326 B.C. in honor of his beloved horse. Bulle Rock was the first thoroughbred imported from England to America, in 1730. Comanche, a cavalry horse, was the only survivor of General George A. Custer's "last stand" in 1876. Vic, Custer's horse, was killed in the battle. Copenhagen carried the duke of Wellington to victory in the BattleofWaterlooin1815. Diomed won the first English Derby at Epsom Downs, in 1780. Eclipse, an English Thoroughbred foaled in 1764, was the ancestor of many modern Thoroughbreds. Iroqouis, in 1881, became the first American-bred horse to win the English Derby. Marengo, a white stallion, was ridden by Napoleon in his defeat atWaterlooin1815. Pegasus was the great winged horse of the Muses. Reckless, a small Korean racing mare, served as ammunition carrier for a U.S. Marine platoon during the Korean War (1950-1953). The mare was made a sergeant and recieved a medal for bravery under fire. Sleipnir, the gray horse of Odin, chief god in Norse mythology, was said to have eight legs and be abie to travel on land or sea. Traveller, a spirited gray gelding, carried General Robert E. Lee during the Civil War. Trojan Horse, a large wooden horse built by the Greeks, helped them capture the city of Troy during the Trojan War, about 1200 B.C. Xanthus was the horse of Achilles. He was supposed to predict his master's death, after being scolded by the mighty Greek warrior.8 11
The horse, throughout time, has occupied a special place in art and literature. From the Stone Age drawings to the marvel of the Parthenon frieze, from Chinese Tang dynasty tomb sculptures to Leonardo da Vinci's sketches and Verrocchio's Celleoni, from the Qur'an to modern literature, the horse has inspired numerous artists in all ages and in all parts of the world.g Although this fascination with the horse's beauty and power led to many great works of art and literature, the fascination with the horse's varied uses and abilities, along with special breeding for specific purposes, led to the evolution of many different kinds of horses.
Kinds of Horses There are more than 150 breeds and types of horses and ponies. The breeds vary greatly in size, strength, speed, and other characteristics. The smallest breed is the Fallabella, which grows oniy thirty inches high. Fallabellas were originally bred in Argentina. The largest breed of horse is the shire, which was originally developed in England to carry the knights into battle and later to help the farmer cultivate the land. i Q
These various breeds are commonly broken down into three major groups: (1) light horses, (2) heavy horses, and (3) ponies. Light horses have small bones and thin legs. Most weigh less than 1,300 pounds. Heavy horses have large bones and thick, sturdy legs. Some weigh more than 2,000 pounds. Ponies are small horses 12 that stand less than fifty-eight inches high and weigh less than 800 pounds. Race horses fall into the light horse group.^ i
Of all the breeds the American Quarter Horse, due to its speed over the quarter mile, and the Thoroughbred, which can run longer distances faster (such as the mile and one quarter), are the breeds that most frequent the race track. With this in mind, a further investigation into the origin and evolution of horse racing is necessary.i2 13 Horse Racing
There are various sports that the horse is involved in today, and all of these sports draw big crowds of people who come to admire the horse's beauty and grace. From rodeos to equitation horse shows, no other sport draws as many spectators as horse racing.i3
Although horse racing is one of the oldest of all sports, its basic concept has remained the same through the centuries; the horse that finishes first is the winner. Horse racing has developed from a primitive contest of speed or stamina between two horses into a spectacle involving large fields of runners, colorful costumes, rigid protocol and sophisticated electronic equipment. In the United States, horse racing is a billion dollar industry and draws more spectators than any other type of sports event.14
Evidences of Horse Racing For many years the chariot race described in Homer's lliad was regarded as the first recorded instance of horse racing. Subsequent discovery of inscribed tablets in Asia Minor indicates that Assyrian kings maintained elaborate stables under the supervision of "professional" trainers about 1,500 B.C.15 ^*^®
Olympic Games in ancient Greece first featured chariot races in 680 B.C., and races between horses with riders were added later, in 648
B.C.16 14
From about 40 A.D. to the early 400s, the Romans controlled what is now Great Britain and introduced horse racing there. Through the centuries, English monarchs and members of nobility owned race horses. As a result, horse racing is referred to as "the sportof kings."i7
Origins of Horse Racing Long after the Roman invasion, Englishmen continued to import horses from the Continent with the avowed purpose of improving the breed in order to upgrade the cavalry; however, emphasis was also placed on upgrading a distinct type of horse, lighter and faster, which was elected for the specific purpose of sport. A description of London, about 1174, mentions racing at Smithfield every Friday; horses for sale were ridden in competition by professional riders to display their speed to buyers.^s
English monarchs continued to breed and race horses for sport, invading King Richard the Lion-Hearted (obsessed with the Arabian horse), King John, Henry VIII, James I, Charles l,and to Charles II (who reigned 1660-85 and is known as "the father of the British turT). Charles II actively participated in the races as a rider and offered King's Plates (silver cups, trays, etc.) to be run for. His patronage established Newmanket as the headquarters of racing. Many people who came to America from Europe during the 1600s brought horses with them. They raced the animals on flat, straight 15 courses. An emissary of Charles II, Richard Nicolls, known as "the father of the American turf" and the first governor of the colony of New York, established the first American racetrack, called New Market. In 1665, he offered a silver cup to be run for each Fall and Spring over a course laid out on Hempstead Plain, Long Island. About the same time the sport was being established in Maryland and Virginia, but on another basis. There it took the form of quarter-racing, as the wildness of the country precluded anything else, and it was not until about 1730 that course-racing began to start up. The first Thoroughbred stallion imported into this country from England, Bulle Rock, by the Darley Arabian, was brought into Virginia in 1730. Thereafter came a steady stream of Thoroughbred stallions and mares, who were the foundation stock of the American Thoroughbred of today-ig
Racing became the great popular sport of the Colonies, outside New England, before the Revolutionary War. That war, which lasted about seven years, did much to retard racing's progress, as it was conducted precisely in those parts where turf and studs were flourishing - New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania in the north, and Maryland, Virginia, and Carolina in the south. As soon as the war was over, work began to repair damage, and in but a few years great progress was made. Racing's development again was interrupted, by the War of 1812; but again peace brought reconstruction and greater progress in racing than ever before. Progress lasted until the Civil 16
War of 1861-65 virtually brought everything to a standstill, Many of the best breeding and racing centers of the Old South never recovered. At that time the control of the sport passed to the north and became centralized in New York. The system of racing was also changed. Before, it had been heat racing at long distances, with four-mile heats being the test of every great horse. Two-year-old racing was not practiced; as it was thought to be detrimental to later excellence. With few exceptions, purses were small, seldom exceeding $1,000; what we now term stakes, especially large-sum stakes, were great rarities. Due to the great length and severity of the contest, many of the champions of that period ran only a few times a year and sometimes were pointed, or peaked, for but one all-important race.^o Currently, most Thoroughbred racing is confined to two to five year-old horses. Races are run on flat, oval tracks at distances of five to twelve furlongs; a furlong equals one-eighth of a mile. Most races are accompanied by pari-mutuel wagering, The horses compete for a cash prize, or purse. Horse owners pay an entry fee, the stake, which is pooled with the track purse, and prizes are paid from this fund. These are called stake races. Many notable stake races are run in a given year. The most famous of these races are for three-year-olds and constitute racing's coveted Triple Crown - the Kentucky Derby at Churchill 17
Downs, Louisville, Kentucky; the Preakness at Pimlico Race Course, Baltimore, Maryland; and the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park, New York.2i
Besides Thoroughbred racing, some horses are bred solely for sprinting short distances over courses of about two furlongs; these are Quarter Horses. In the initial rush from the starting gate they may be faster than the great sweepstakes horses, but they lack the stamina. Interest in these types of horse racing is found in Texas. This interest is not just of a recent nature, as the following pages will explain. 18 Horse Racing in Texas
Background Texas is one of seventeen states which does not permit pari-mutuel wagering at horse races; yet, Texas is well known for breeding Thoroughbred horses and does have several privately owned racetracks. In November, 1982, Oklahoma approved pari-mutuel horse racing on a local-option basis. This completes Texas' encirclement by bordering states and Mexico that offer pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing. Supporters of pari-mutuel wagering state that Texas is forfeiting substantial revenue in taxes by not joining the majority of states which do collect profits on pari-mutuel wagering. Opponents of pari-mutuel wagering question the claimed economic impact, stating that this economic impact is overestimated. These opponents are also concerned with the social ramifications of legalizing horse race betting.22
Texas History of Pari-Mutuel Wagering on Horses In 1905 wagering on horse races was first legalized in Texas. This happened during a nation-wide revival of horse racing. For a period of four years Texans enjoyed the races; then, a series of scandals in the industry across the country prompted the revocation of this privileage in Texas in 1909. 19
Two decades later, during the Great Depression, Texas once again legalized horse race wagering. This was accomplished on the last day iegislative session. A rider was attached to the appropriations bill, and for fear of paralizing state government, the legislature voted to legalize wagering on horse races. In 1935 and 1937 the Governor of Texas, James Allred, tried unsuccessfully to repeal pari-mutuel betting. He did not give up; in 1937 he called a special session just for this reason, and once again horse race wagering was declared illegal. In the following forty years many pari-mutuel bills were conceived and defeated; some of the bills never made it out of committee. Although many Texans continued to breed successful Thoroughbreds, none of them could compete for purses in their native state. In 1981 efforts redoubled in both the House and Senate. The Senate bill, sponsored by Senator Harris, received a hearing before the State Affairs Committee but then was held in subcommittee. In the House, Representative Craig Washington's bill made it to the floor for consideration but was tabled on second reading. 1983 saw a nearly succissful effort to legalize pari-mutuel wagering in Texas. Senate Bill 440, sponsored by Senator Harris, passed in the Senate and made it to the House floor for consideration. In the last days of the Sixty-eighth Session, Senate Bill 440 was laid on the table in the House. 20
During the Sixty-ninth Session in 1985, Senate Bill 313, sponsored by Senator Harris, was sent to a subcommittee of the Economic Development Committee and was never reported out of the subcommittee. On the House side, House Bill 440, sponsored by Representative Berlanga, passed out of committee only to be defeated on the floor of the House. The bill failed to pass to engrossment, and was tabled.23
Currently in 1987, Senate Bill fifteen, sponsored by Senator Harris, has passed the House and the Senate. This bill passed the Senate on August 26,1986, by a vote of seventeen to twelve. The bill also passed the House on August 29,1986, by a vote of seventy-five to fifty-nine, with two present not voting.24 The bill went to general election on November 3,1987, and passed. Texans will once again be able to enjoy the race tracks. 21
Endnotes
1. The World Book Encvclopedia. 22 volumes, (Chicago, World Book Inc, 1983),vol.9:p. 324b. 2. Encvclopedia Britannica. 30 volumes, (Chicago, Helen Hemingway Benton, 1984), vol. 8:p. 1092. 3. Francis Haines, Horses in America. (New York, Crowell, 1971), PP. 5-7. 4. Encvclopedia Britannica. p.1Q92. 5. Ibid.,p. 1093. 6. The World Book Encvclooedia. p. 324c. 7. Ibid., p. 324c. 8. Ibid.. p.321. 9. Encvclooedia Britannica. p. 1091. 10. The World Book Encvclopedia. p. 318. 11. Ibid.,p.321. 12. Haines.pp. 190-210. 13. The World Book Encvclooedia. p. 326. 14. The American Racing Manual. (Chicago, Triangle Publications, Inc, 1985), p. 478. 15. Encvclopedia Britannica. p. 1094. 16. Ibid., p. 1095. 17. The American Racina Manual. p. 479. 18. Ibid., p.481. 19. Ibid.,pp. 481-483. 20. Ibid.,p.482. 21. The World Book Encvclopedia. p. 326. 22. Texas State Senate, Senate Bill Number 15. Bill Analvsis. (Austin, Senate Press, 1986), p. 1. 23. Ibid., pp. 1-2. 24. Texas State Senate, Senate Bill Number 15. (Austin, Senate Press, 1986), p. 30. 22 Selected Case Studies
Since pari-mutuel wagering is now legal in Texas, I now need to consider a built environment for horse racing. Horse racing facilities are divided into three different classes by Texas state law. A class one racetrack, the class that this program is concerned with, ís a racetrack on which racing is conducted for a minimum of forty-five days in a calendar year, the number of days and the actual dates to be determined by the commission under Article Eight of Senate Bill number fifteen, now law. Not more that four class one racetracks may be licensed and operated in this state. A class two racetrack is a racetrack on which racing is conducted for a number of days not to exceed forty-four days in a calendar year except othenA^ise as stated in Article Six. A class three racetrack is a racetrack operated by a county or a nonprofit fair under Article Twelve. An association that holds a class three racetrack license and that conducted horse races in 1986 may conduct races for a number of days not to exceed sixteen days in a calender year on the dates selected by the association.i
Keeping the above in mind, I will now investigate currently operational racetracks of historical importance, and also newly constructed racetracks. My aim is to gain a better knowledge of the organization and operation of such racetracks. I also give attention to structural systems. 23 Belmont Park Belmont plark is the home of the famous Belmont Stakes race. This is one of the more elaborate tracks, having a training course, turf course, main course, widener course, steeplechases, and hurdles, The races run on these tracks range from four furlongs to two miles.^
City: Hempstead County: Nassau and Queens State: New York Soil: sandy loam Width of backstretch: 100 feet Distance from judges' stand to first turn: 833 feet Seating capacity of grandstand and clubhouse: 23,000 Turf and Field Club and lawn: 5,000 Stable accomodations: 1,700 horses Features: totalisator, automatic starting gate, camera finish Inaugural meeting: May 4,1905
Belmont Park Site Plan; (figure #2) 24 Churchill Downs
This is the home of the Kentucky Derby. It has an unusually high seating capacity, yet this is necessary to accomiodate the high number of horse lovers in the area.3
City: Louisville County: Jefferson State: Kentucky Track: one mile One chute: one mile Soíl: sandy loam Distance from judges' stand to first turn: 113.5 feet Length of stretch from last turn to judges' stand: 1,234.5 feet Width of stretch: 80 feet; back stretch, 79 feet Seatíng capacity of stands, clubhouse, terraces: 35,000 Infield accomodations: 15,000 Stable accomodations: 1,200 horses Features: automatic starting gate, camera finish Inaugural meeting: May 17,1875
if«««»•»
Jud9«> Churchill Downs Site Plan; (figure #3) Pftii lei 25 Pimlico This track host the third of the Triple Crown races, called the Preakness. This track is the oldest of the Triple Crown tracks, and is a more modest racetrack.4
City: Baltimore County: Baltimore State: Maryland Distance from Washington, D.C.: forty miles Track: one mile oval One chute: three-quarters of a mile Soil: sandy loam Length of stretch from last turn to judges' stand: 950 feet Distance from judges' stand to first turn: 413 feet Width of stretch: 70 feet; backstretch. 70 feet Seating capacity of stands: 16,000 Stable accomcdations: 1,050 horses Features: totalisator, automatic starting gate, camera finish inaugural meeting: October 25,1870
Turf Course
FinitK
^Judges Bleochert Grond Stond Club Club House
Pimlico Park Site Plan; (figure #4) 26 Garden State Park April 14,1977, was the day faulty wiring in the clubhouse kitchen started a fire which destroyed the thirty-six-year-old facility. Now, Garden State Park is back in business. It reopened April 1,1985, and has been termed "The race track of the 21 st Century". This is what the owners, Brennan and Quigley, had requested: a race track of the future, one by which others could be measured in future years. This is what the Philadelphia based firm of Ewing, Cole, Cherry, Parsky designed. "Garden State is the top of the line," adds Robert Krause, president of Ewing, Cole, Krause, the sports division of the architectural firm.5
Krause speaks with authority; he has been involved in either total architectural design and planning or alterations and additions on over thirty Thoroughbred, Standardbred, and dog tracks worldwide. These facilities include: Aqueduct; Caracas Jockey Club, Caracas, Venezuela;
Keeneland; and Woodbine, in Toronto, Canada.g The following is a list of general facts about Garden State Park.7
City: Delaware County: Camden State: New Jersey Track: one mile Turf course: seven furlongs Training track: three furlongs Distance from Philadelphia: five miles Seating capacity: 9,500 Total crowd accomidation: 24,000 Stable accomidations: 1,400 horses 27
Other facts on the facility will now be presented. The $170 million facility is built on a 285-acre site, and is broken into four distinct sections: the grandstand-clubhouse building, the backstretch, the corporate yard, and the sales pavilion.3
The grandstand-clubhouse building has 501,000 square feet. It utilizes the modern concept of horizontal stacking; the clubhouse is built on top of the grandstand. Besides being more economical, horizontal stacking enhances patron flow and energy efficiency and provides more patrons with a good view of the racing. The clubhouse is equippted with 600 television monitors for live coverage of the races and instant replay. The atmosphere is intended to be exciting, resembling that of a casino; it has twinkling lights, neon lights, mirror ceilings in the clubhouse, and bright colors. The atmosphere is intended to enhance the patrons' experience, and also to lure in a younger crowd. The backstretch has been built to resemble a small community. Besides the twenty-seven stables for 1,400 horses, there are: a stall manager's building; five dormitories to accomiodate 716 grooms; a veterinary building; a recreation building; administration and cafeteria buildings; a harness paddock; and two 1,700 square-foot blacksmith shops. The corporate yard, home for seven track maintenance and operations buildings, is located just off the racetrack's clubhouse turn. The 53,000 square-foot sales pavilion is located adjacent to the grandstand and has seating for 1,500. The main activity of the sales 28 pavilion is the sale of horses; however, for the further enjoyment of the patrons, the sales pavilion is equippted with two large screen television monitors. The pavilion also has twenty-three indoor and twenty-four outdoor mutuel windows.g
Perhaps the most unusual aspect of Garden State Park is its crystal paddock. Steel and glass standing eighty feet tall, and enclosing 32,400 square feet, allow patrons on all five levels of the grandstand and clubhouse to watch the horses being saddled and other paddock activities prior to each race. The paddock is complete with fourteen stalls and a covered walking ring. The paddock is enclosed and poor ventilation of this space could have been a problem; however, this is solved with clearestory openings around the enclosure.iQ
On the next few pages are the floor plans of the grandstand clubhouse along with a site plan. In addition, diagrams of certain spacial relationships are included.n .1 l^ml
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Garden State Park Phoenix; (figure #11)
Garden State Park Press Box; (figure #12) 33 Grandstand Clubhouse Hierarchy
private area exclusively for the press Press box 7th level and certain track officials. This box affords the best view.
exclusive area, best possible viewing Phoenix 6th level for the public with extravagant dining, spacious seating.
still some of the best seats available Clubhouse 5th level an exclusive area, but not as extravagent as the Phoenix.
moderate admission fee required, Mezzanine 4th level abundant seating, easy access to the paddock, concessions, mutuels.
admission fee required, generally Grandstand 3rd ievei same as mezzanine, but without better view advantage.
open to public, generally no admission Trackside 2nd level fee, standing room only, with access to paddock, concessions, mutuels.
entry level to public grandstand and Groundfloorí Istlevel private jockey rooms, security, administration.
Grandstand-Clubhouse Hierarchy; (table #1) 34 Security of Mutuels The mutuels are stacked and centrally located in two shafts in the grandstand-clubhouse. The security level is high, and public access is obtained only at the pari-mutuel ticket windows. The mutuels are connected by their own private staircase systems and corridors. The ground-floor mutuels are the control center for the upper levels; a close relationship to the security office and officers has been established on this lower level. The following is a diagram of traffic flow and mutuel windows on all levels.
6th level
5th level
4th level
3rd level
2nd level
<íí C C o t- :; Istlevel
Mutuel Security; (table #2) 35 Louisiana Downs
City: Bossier City State: Louisiana Track: one and one quarter miles Two chutes: at seven furlongs and one and one-quarter miles Turf course: seven furlongs Seating capacity: grandstand ~ 5,280; clubhouse - 3,460; penthouse ~ 1,500 Total crowd accomiodation: approximately ~ 30,000
This project cost $28 million and is located on a 300-acre site. The site is directly off the interstate, convenient to all areas of greater Shreveport and to the thousands of persons who come from nearby eastern Texas. The project was financed by private investors: Edward J. DeBartolo's, firm based in Youngstown.Ohio; and Kemmons Wilson, Inc. of Memphis, Tennessee. Louisiana Downs is a combination of glass, steel and concrete. The following figure of Louisiana Downs illustrates two major points. First, the figure shows the eight different levels that comprise the total facility. Second, the figure shows the unique five-degree angle of the grandstand and clubhouse structure, indicated by the lines: the angle allows the fan a more complete view of the track.12
Louisiana Downs Section; (figure #13) 36 The Meadowlands
City: East Rutherford State: New Jersey Track: one mile Two chutes: at six furlongs and one and one quarter mile Turf course: seven furlongs Total seating capacity:10,000 Total track accomiodations: approximately 35,000 Stable accomiodations: approximately 1,735 horses
The Meadowlands covers over 588 acres. It includes a football stadium seating over 80,000 fans, an 18,000-seat arena for college and professional basketball, and a horse racetrack. The entire multi-purpose facility was built for $300 million, with the racetrack complex costing $50 million. Initial funding came from the sale of municipal bonds. The construction of the facility emphiasizes minimal-obstruction viewing for spectators. This viewing is achieved by the use of a cable-and-hanger suspension system for the superbox and clubhouse; the lower stands are supported by columns. Also, great consideration is given to the patron's oblique view which is usually obstructed: big columns and spacing of mullions result in the "venetian-blind" effect illustratedbelow.i3
Large Support Columns Restrict View; (figure #14) 37
The suspension system consists of mast supported cables tied in the back to the building columns and in the front to a trussed frame. The superbox and clubhouse are suspended from the frame by steel-bar hangers. Mullions, spaced ten feet on center, are rigidly connected at the grandstand level, with horizontal bracing at various levels up to the superbox level. Pockets for the glazing system permit it to remain in a fixed position while the structural system moves vertically, responding to changing live loads.14
Cables, three-and-a-half inches in diameter and in groups of three, are spaced thirty feet apart; these cables are the principal structural module of the building. Intermediate steel beams are used so that the L-shaped units that support seats need to be only fifteen feet in length; if the L-shaped units were thirty feet long they would be subjectto more deflection.15
CABUE
C4BLH -s
SUSPfMPEP FLOOR
SUSPENPEP
Meadowlands Structural System; (figure #15) 38
Endnotes
1. Texas State Senate, Senate Bill Number 15. (Austin, Senate Press, 1986), p. 9. 2. The American Racina Manual. (Chicago, Triangle Publications, Inc, 1985) p. 555. 3. Ibid., p. 566. 4. Ibid., p.620. 5. Keith Chamberlin, "A Garden of Sparkle," The Blood-Horse. (April 13,1985): p. 2554. 6. Steve Thomas, "Racing Track Construction," The Thorouahbred Record. (September 8,1982):p. 26. 7. The American Racina Manual. p. 586. 8. Chamberlin, p. 2556. 9. Ibid., p. 2557. 10. Ibid., p. 2558. 11. Ewing Cole Krause, Garden State Park. (Philadelphia, 1985), pp.1-10. 12. Thomas, pp. 26-29. 13. Ibid., pp. 27-30. 14. "A New Way to Get Good Site Lines," Architectural Record. (November 1975), pp. 256-257. 15. Ibid., p. 256. 39 Site Evaluation and Analysis
By knowing the characteristics of a racetrack, I can now select a site. The following is a comprehensive study of many of the aspects that a potential site for a horse racetrack should have. Once these basic guidelines are presented, I will choose and investigate a site.
Site Criteria by Law A class one track by law can only operate in a county or adjacent to a county which has a population of not less than 750,000 according to the most recent federal census.i
Site Criteria, Good Sense The track should be close to a major road; an interstate highway would be optimum. Access to a local airport would also be favorable. The track should not be too close to an existing track in a bordering state. The track should be located near a major city, enabling it to draw from that city. A well-established tourist industry in the area would also be beneficial, as this would insure a positive flow of people from all parts of the state and nation. The track should be close enough to an urban center to be able to hook up to local utilities and also draw adequate labor for construction and operation of the track; however, it still should be far enough away from the urban center to maintain a rural setting. .,;::•• ^HÍ;::^.,:!.!;;; :;•.
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Comal County Background Now that it is known that Comal county is located in south central Texas, an investigation into other relative facts about the county is needed. Comal County was created and organized from Bexar, Gonzales, and Travis Counties in 1846. It recieved its name from the Comal River, locally referred to as the shortest river in the United States; the river is only two and one-half miles long. The population of the county as of 1985 was 46,200. The land is generally hilly with mostly clay soil. Abundant minerals in the area are: stone, limestone, sand, and gravel. The county has many spring-fed streams, and the Guadalupe River flows through it. Located centrally in the county is Canyon Lake. These waters of Comal County provide entertainment to tourists through: rafting, fishing, and scenic drives. Additional local activities are hunting and the Wurstfest in November. The county seat is New Braunfels, population 25,306. Other towns include Garden Ridge, population 783, and Schertz, population 7,576; however, Schertz is mostly in Bexar County.3
Land use in Comal County has undergone significant changes since 1960. Land once used for agriculture is now converted to urban uses. This change is due mainly to the expansion of nearby San Antonio and Austin. The growth of the smaller urban areas around New Braunfels and San Marcos and of the retirement community near Canyon Lake, have contributed to this change.4 43
Adjacent and Supporting Counties The counties adjacent to and near Comal County are: Blanco, population 5,300; Hays, population 56,000; Guadalupe, population 54,600; Bexar, population 1,134,900; Kendall, population 14,000; and Travis, population 533,200.5 of all these counties Bexar and Travis have the most to offer the racing industry. These two counties already have a large population and also maintain a well-developed tourist industry. Bexar County is the home of historic San Antonio. According to its visitors bureau, Bexar County draws over 11,000,000 visitors annually, who spend over $1.127 billion while there. Travis County, while smaller in population, is the home of Austin, the state capital of Texas. Austin draws over 13,000,000 visítors annually, who spend over $1.532 billion while there.g These two cities are linked by Interstate IHighway 35; New Braunfels is in between the two, although it is closer to San Antonio. Also located on the major traffic route, and in the two cities, are three major universities: The University of Texas at Austin, University of Texas at San Antonio, and Southwest Texas State University, located in San Marcos. These three universities have a combined enrollment of over 86,000 students. Three major groups of people; the locals, tourists, and university students, need to be targeted the hardest to ensure the success of the racetrack. The climate is also favorable to the success of the racetrack. After the climate, I will discuss soil conditions, sun angles, and topological infprmation. 44
Climate Located on the twenty-ninth northern parallel, New Braunfels has some hot sunny days in the summer, but it does not get very cold in the winter. Below, and on the next page, are temperature and precipitation graphs for New Braunfels. These figures show the relationship of temperature to the comfort zone. The comfort zone ranges from about 70F to 80F; humidity and wind have natural effects on comfort.y Information for the graphs was compiled from the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.s
Temperatures in New Braunfeis
M AverageTemp. O Average Mini m u m B AvfírnpeMnTÍmiim
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec month
Temperatures in New Braunfels; (table #3) 45 Precipation in New Braunfels
H yeariy average m 2 in 10 yrs. iess than IH 2 in 10 yrs. more than
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec month Precipitation in New Braunfels; (table #4)
Soil Data A map of the specific site is on the following page. It is a soil sun/ey, and the type of soils that can be found on the site are identified on the map. The soils are ByA, a branyon clay with a slope of 0-1 percent, and ByB, a branyon clay with a slope of 1 -3 percent. This ís a deep soil, nearly level to gently sloping. It is moderately well drained, and surface runoff is slow to medium. When the soil is dry, cracks form that are from 0.5 inch to 3.0 inches wide and several feet deep.g Below is a cross section of ByA and ByB soils.
ByA ByB
Soil Cross Section; (figure #18) 'lb
1000 0 »000 r«M *-2 rs Scato-1:20000 fM»ifcM#f5 í ' • / ^^•^ ?7 ^rl\\ ' pW5^A^sft><^ • 1 r m J^
• • ^^ *t ^^^^ ' _ /% ..A^ * • ,• -^>* N • ."1, X^3/ • f^ />-* ' * c^ A • 'u- y 'j/,'^^^ X '••' //' j k_ \ • V •»' %^i. 7C?T^,> .» • • k 4 J^ ^<-u •t' ^^^ ^ '* "T^^^^. ^ . » ., CA. ,1 'rfX •\ \ JY'IJV^i p \ ^^^-^ ^" % ^VV. '^ '^'X*\ . \X^ • • .-' * • *>:\ •' *T. •ft* i. -N ••^ y 11 • '' "^lYîl / •* ^^ \ V \ xjCi^ ^Z' ..*•'' -^ X / J X r^ Ji T -* 4 ^r^* .X 47 Sun Angles An understanding of the angles of the sun is critical. The racetrack and grandstands need to be positioned so that the sun will not blind the audience or the horses while the races are going on. The following chart is from the Passive Solar Energy Book..to 28° NL„. Sun Angle Chart; (figure #20) 48 Topology The topology of the area, as stated before, is mainly hilly; however, a relatively flat site was needed and found adjacent to Interstate Highway 35. The following map shows the topology of the site. r .^i ^il CONTOUH WÎCRVAL 10 FEET ,SîS«.CWOli«r.«iii««.o»io««' i«9 Topology Map; (figure #21) 49 Historical Built Environment The site analysis is almost complete. A few things are still lacking, though. In the next few pages the historical built enviroment of New Braunfels will be shown through a series of pictures. The historical buildings shown have had, and should continue to have, an impact on any modern and future architecture in the area. The use of large limestone and other stones that are indigenous to the area is evident. Also the use of brick in more contemporary buildings, in a manner that suggests stone construction, is also evident. I regret that the pictures only show the details of the following buildings in black and white, because the colors of the stone and brick are beautiful. Church Steeple; (figure #22) Tax Appriasal Office; (figure #23) Court House, Old Building; (figure #24) :%ife: Factory; (figure #25) Church; (figure #26) JiiB .."-'«1 Bank; (figure #27) Courthouse, New Addition; (figure #28) Æ'^^'! II...-'.' Site; (figure #29) Looking Northeast from Site; (figure #30) 54 Endnotes 1. Texas State Senate, SenateBill Number15. (Austin, Texas; 1986), Article Six. 2. 1986.1987 Texas Almanar;. (Dallas, Texas: A.H. Belo Corporation, 1985), pp. 24, 260. 3. Ibid., p.260. 4. United States Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service. Soil Survev of Comal and Hays Counties. (Washington D.C.;1984), pp.1-5. 5. 1986.1987 Texas Almanac. pp. 244. 245. 292. 298. 313. 363. 6. The University of Texas, Texas Business Impact. (Austin, Texas; University Press, 1986), pp. 126,152. 7. Victor Olgay, Desian with Climate.fPrinceton: Princeton University Press; 1973), p. 19. 8. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Local Climatoloaical Data of Texas. (Washington D.C.; 1986), pp. 98-101, 150-155. 9. Soil Survev of Comal and Havs Counties. pp. 66-67. 96. 10. Edward IVIazria, Passive Solar Enerav Book. (Rondale Press, 1979), p. 19. 55 Economic Analysis Having researched some existing racetracks with supporting facilities, and having completed the site anaiysis, I will now give an economic analysis. What kind of economic impact will Texas experience due to the building and operation of horse racetracks? How much will it cost to build one? The information below explains the advantages and the potential economic impact of horse racing in Texas. This list was compiled by the Texas Horse Racing Association (THRA) and is based on the construction and operation of four class one tracks in Texas. Some Facts on Pari-mutuel Wagering in Texas, a Potential $2 Billion Dollar a Year Industry. Jobs for Texans *11,000 new jobs for Texans in all job categories *8,000 construction jobs *7,000 new farm related jobs *unlimited new jobs for the tourism industry, restaurants, hotels, motels horse breeding and training faciiities, veterinarians, real estate sales personnel, insurance agents, manufacturers, suppliers, retailers, and so on Tourism for Texas Millions of Texas dollars go out of state each year to New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana as Texans take their dollars to watch parimutuel horse racing. This can be stopped and new dollars will start to come in. 56 TaxesforTexas: * $11,415 each hour in new tax revenue: *$274,000 each day; *$100,000,000 each year (according to Bob Buliock, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts); *$5,000,000 in sales tax from concessions sales at the racetracks; *$7,000,000 annually in race track property taxes. Industry forTexas: Increase in horse breeding and training farms, Over $112,000,000 will be spent for improved and new horse breeding and training facilities. Agriculture forTexas: Pari-mutuel horse racing in Texas will require more Texas grown corn, feed hay, oats, aifalfa, milo, soybeans, and forage seeds. More than $500,000,000 annually would be put into our Texas farm econmy (according to the Texas Department of Agriculture). Preliminary Cost of Track The facts are clear; horse racing in Texas will heip the economy. The remaining question is: How much will it cost to build a racetrack? Some preliminary figures follow, with a more detailed economic analysis to come. Before construction of a racetrack can actually begin, the promoting person or group will need a licence. The application fee for a class one track is $15,000. Once the application for the track 57 is approved an issuance bond of $100,000 is due, payabie to the state of Texas. Construction cannot begin without issuance of such a licence and bond. Only four class one tracks will be approved in the State of Texas. The average size racetrack requires about 300 acres of land. Construction of all supporting facilities can run over $50,000,000. For example, in 1974 Louisiana Downs cost $28,000,000; using 10% inflation over ten years, the price would be $56,000,000 today. Construction cost breakdown ( stated by Robert J. Krause) Stadium 66% Track 10% Stables 10% Parking 7% Paddock, TV tower. Veterinary bldg., maintenance bldg. 1_% 100%total 58 Cost of The Racetrack Financing and operation of a racetrack can be obtained in one of the following four ways: 1) as a closely held corporation with an individuai or small group of shareholders, such as Longacres in Washington state; 2) as a publicly held organization, such as Churchill Downs; 3) as a nonprofit, charitable operation, such as Keeneland; and 4) as a state or local government-operated facility, such as The Meadowlands. The New Braunfels racetrack will fall into category one: a small corporation of twenty to thirty shareholders, with each shareholder bidding for at least three percent of the cost. The total cost of the track is listed below, broken down into major categories. Land The site covers 540 acres and is located east of New Braunfels on Interstate 35. This land is owned by the San Antonio Bank of Commerce and is appraised by the Comal County Appraisial Office at $7.32 million. Grandstand /Clubhouse The stadium should seat 10,000 to 12,000 people and should have an ultimate capacity of over 30,000. Oîher racetracks that have such capacities have 400,000 to 500,000 square feet; this grandstand will have approximately 450,000. The average cost per 59 square foot will be $50; the lower stands will cost about $30 per square foot and the upper stands will range from $75 to $150 per square foot. Total projected cost is $25 million Stables The stables should shelter 1,200 to 1,400 horses. With each horse needing 100 square feet, the total square footage will be 140,000. At a estimated cost of $20 a square foot the stables will cost $7.2 million. Dormitories Dormitories for the grooms will need to house 700 people. With each groom needing 200 square feet, including circulation, the square footage will be 140,000. At an estimated cost of $25 per square foot the total cost will be $3.5 million Cafeteria for the Backstretch The cafeteria should be approximately 30,000 square feet. At a cost of $27 per square foot, the total will be $.81 million. The above prices per square foot were found in Means Scuare Foot Cost. 60 Activity Analysis The economic summary, along with the economic impact on Texas analysis, confirms the projects viability. An activity analysis is the next logical step. An understanding of enviromental architectural theories is important for successful designing. In the following pages I will investigate social interactions and aspects in a racetrack enviroment. Instead of just designing architecture as an object, this study will give me a better understanding of the clients and patrons needs and allow me to design the racetrack accordingly. But before I get into the specific activities of the social interactions and needs of the clients and patrons of the racetrack, I will need to present a general knowledge of basic human needs. User Needs Human needs are those "which are required by an organism for satisfactory emotionsl and physical well-being."i Below, I have listed nine human needs, according to Albert Tillman, with a definition and explanation or their importrance toward this project. New Experience - Seeking the unknown, adventure, exploration, discovery, ad challenge. For example, each race can bring a new experience, and it is a challenge to see if you can pick a winner. Relaxation/Escape - Removing stress, fantasy, running, blank mind, and forgetting. To see the horse in the paddock, in all its beauty, day-dreaming about it will run the race. 61 Recognition - To recieve reward either verbally or materially. To be acknowledged for overcoming barriers and surpassing others in doing so.^ Material rewards are always obtainable to all patrons of the track. Response/Social Interaction - To react with indivuals. To be able to relate and reach them. At the racetrack one can find social interaction with one question: Who do you like in the next race? Mental Activity - The rational ability to understand, perceive, and interpet various alternatives. For each race there are eight to fourteen horses, deciding on which horse to bet requires a lot of studing the Dailv Racina Forum and program. Creativity - Original. The ability to express an idea or a new image in contrast to a copy or imitation.3 Seen in the architecture of the place. Sen/ice to Others - Contributing, helping, assisting and the concern for the well-being of others.4 Patrons willingly giving information to others that ask. Physical Activity - Physiological health and fitness. "Provides release from muscular tension. It is the umbrella activity need for the greatest number of recreation participants. Sports is its chief agent for fulfillment."^ Privacy - a condition of seculsion or isolation from others. an act that can be within one's self. A need for withdrawl. This is not a reason for going to the races, the racetrack is a very social place. In conclusion of this section, human needs are a foundation for life. These needs must be carefully addressed in the design and development of the racetrack for it to be sucessful.g 62 With a basic understanding of human needs, I will now direct my studies to the users of the racetrack. The users have been divided into three major groups: in the first I deal with the performers, in the second with the audience, and, finally, in the thrd with the stage managers, who permit interaction between performer and audience to run smoothly. The following information is all derived from Marvin B. Scott's book The Racina Game. -, Performers, the horse I will begin with the horse and the types of races that the horse can run. Since, in my background, I have already covered the horse and basic race types, I will keep this section short. Races are classified as claiming and nonclaiming races. By far the greatest number of races ~ some seventy-five per cent ~ are claiming races. In a claiming race, each horse is in a sence is up for sale. That is, any owner who has raced a horse at the track during the meet in progress may put in a claim to buy any horse racing in a claiming race. In $2,000 claiming races, any horse can be bought for $2,000; in $5,000 claiming races, $5,000, and so on. Nonclaiming races are of three general kinds: allowances, stakes, and handicaps. Allowance races are for horses that owners feel are too good to run ín the ranks of claiming races and perhaps not good enough for stakes or handicap races. That at least is the players' meaning. For the track officials, particularly the track 63 secretary who writes the conditions for all the races at a given track, these races refer to the manner in which weight is handled. In allowance races, the conditions for entering a horse specify a certain base weight the eligible horses carry, with a reduction or addition of weight according to prior past performances. In handicap races, the track handicapper assigns weights in such a manner that all the entrants are equalized. The heaviest weight given to the horse most likely to win, and the lightest given to the dark horse. The third major division of nonclaiming races are stakes races. In a stakes race, all the entrants carry the same weight, except for a sex allowance. Stakes races are usually for two-or-three-year-olds. Trainers' and jockeys' strategies differ in the two kinds of races. In handicap races, the strategy must be such that the horse that wins does not took too good or win by too much; otherwise the animal will be penalized with extra poundage in his next start. This adds to the excitement of the race, because there is always a close finish. In stakes races, because the horses carry the same weight and cannot be penalized for a winning effort, true form can be exposed. Another type of race is known as a maiden race. A "maiden" is a horse that has never won a race. On any given day, at least one maiden race will be slated. When a horse wins its first race, it is said to "break" its maiden. Tradition dictates that on such occasion his handlers honor it with an extra helping of carrots. 64 Permormers, the jockey At the racetrack, we find a sphere of life where men are out to establish character, demonstrate virtue, and achieve honor. These men are jockeys; and while on stage they are putting their money, their reputations, and their life on the line. Because of this, the jockey is percieved as one of the few sun/ivors of the traditional concept of "the man of honor". The third type of jockey, the businessman, is a boy who "gets what he can, any way he can," as Marvin Scott put it. This is acomplished by conspiring with the local bookies and some elete regulars of the track. To become a jockey, all one needs to do is meet the physical requirements and convince an employer of his desire, no prior experience with a horse is needed. Once empoyed the boy will begin as a stable boy - carrying water, mucking stalls, polishing tack, walking hots (horses that need to be colled down after a workout or race). He also rides around with the horse when it is shipped to another racetrack. The stable boy does not consider these jobs as demeaning, so long as it is clear that they are part os the first step of his career. Eventually the boy is tried on a horse in a workout. If the horse responds to his urging and if the boy follows instructions, he is ready for official apprenticeship. He is placed under contract and apprenticed to the employer for three to five years. The contract, formulated by the Jockey Club, is standard throughout the country. The boy will now continue to exercise the horses for months, his 65 designation is shifted from stable boy to exercise boy. Later, when the trainer think he is ready, the boy will be allowed to mount a horse in the races. If sucess comes his way, and he continues to follow instructions, he will remain a jockey. If he fails, he will remain a exercise boy. A jockey's success depends upon his getting mounts on winning horses. And to be in demand he must somehow mobilize his activities so as to appear to possess those virtues of character mentioned earlier. Jockeys can be categorized into three groups: honest boys, money jocks, and businessmen. To get the reputation of an honest boy, a jockey must satisfy two conditions: he must accept all mounts offered to him, and he must ride in strict accord to instructions. The second type of jockey, the money jock, is not concerned with the number of mounts he recieves but with getting the best mounts in the best races. If he had his way, the money jock would accept only mounts in the feature Saturday race. In receiving mounts, his agent is often instructed to demand a flat fee for his services, ten per cent of the winning share is the usual asking price on a win-or-lose basis. This usually means that the jockey is getting good mounts, because no owner will agree to pay such a price on a win-or-lose situation unless they are sure of their chances of winning the race. The third type of jockey, the businessman, is a boy who "gets what he can, any way he can," as Marvin Scott put it This is acomplished by conspiring with the local bookies and some elete regulars of the track. 66 Performers, the trainers The trainer is responsible for bringing a horse up to a race, for deciding when a horse is ready to bet, and for buying and selling the animals. To his stable help - the grooms, exercise boys, and hot walkers ~ he is captain of a the ship. The major distinctions between the trainers is that of "honest johns" and "manipulators." The former are nonbetting trainers; the latter, betting trainers. The manipulators, descise the true form of their horses in order to get better odds and lower weights for their horses, then when the time is right they bet heavily on their horse. Audience The audience is comprised of "regulars" and occasionals." Regulars attend the racetrack as spectators/competers on a day-to-day basis - that is as long as their money holds out. Occasionals, by far the larger group, are those indivuals who attend the racetrack once or twice a year, or as frequently as alternate Saturdays. The regulars expect to profit from their daily visits; the occasionals hope to profit. For the regulars, the racetrack is a way of life; for the occasionals, a form of recreation. Stage Managers, introduction The official family ~ the track owners, racing officials, and the state regulatory authorities - constitute the mediating. 67 community between the performers and the audience in the racing game The racing plant is an organization operated by businessmen conserned with turning a profit, If a person or syndicate can raise several million dollars, he can fulfill the first requirement in becoming a track owner. But the state will determine if taces can be run, when they can be run, and how much profit the track can make. The track's take is not all profit. The track must pay for the overhead: the upkeep of the grounds, the payment of track personnel (for example, maintenance men, mutuel men, track officials, a private police force), and, most important the purses. On the average, for each dollar bet eighty-seven per cent goes back to the players, six per cent to the state, five per cent to the track, and two per cent to the horsemen. Once the owners have state approval to build a racing plant and are given certain specified racing dates, the owners declare themselves a racing association, and are banded under a self-regulating body known as the Thoroughbred Racing Associations (THR). Through this organization, the member tracks attempt to coordinate and unify the sport. To carry our the rules of racing, a track empioys a core of personnel with well-defined responsibilities. This official family consists of the stewards, the racing secretary, the paddock judge, the starter, the patrol judges, the placing judges, and the track veterinarians. 68 Stage Managers, stewards The stewards are the supreme authority of a race meeting. Typically, each meet has three stewards - one representing the racing association conducting the meeting, one representing the state racing commission, and one representing the Jockey Club, or alternatively, someone appointed by the other two stewards. This elite corps has unannounced access to any part of the grounds or buildings at the plant. Its members can scratch any horse for any reason they see fit. Their powers include ruling on any infraction, demanding proof of the identity of a horse at any time, denying certain horses from runnimg, and conducting investigations of any nature for any reason. Stage Managers, the racing secretary The racing secretary writes the script that determines who the performers will be. In short, the meeting revolves around his work. His first and most important task is to set forth the conditions that will govern the running of all races. About every two weeks, a new "conditions book" appears that states the eligibility requirements for a horse in a given race and the weight it will carry. The conditions are written to suit the available talent and to bring out fields of well-matched horses. There are exceptions to this, however. If many long shots are winning and the percentage of favorites drops substantially below thirty per cent, he will write conditions that will 69 permit one or two standouts to get into a soft field; on the other hand, if the favorites are sweeping the card, the secretary will change the conditions to accomidate this. Stage Manager, the paddock judge The paddock judge supen/ises the saddling of the horses in the paddock. Horses that are expected to start in a race must report on the paddock about twenty minutes before post time. If a horse does not report on time, the owner and trainer are sublect to penalties. The major duty of the paddock judge is to identify the horses as they enter the paddock. If the paddock judge suspects the identification of any horse is questionable, he reports this immediately to the stewards. Stage Manager, the starter The starter duty is to get all of the horses off to a good start. A horse that is caught flatfooted at the start generally has no chance. And unless all the horses break well, the starter is often held to blame. Stage Manager, patroi judges From the time the horse leave the starting gate to the time that they finish, the horses remain under the close scrutiny of four patrol judges. Stationed at various points of the track, they watch for fouls, unfair tactics, or jockeys pulling horses. Violations of trles that 70 might lead to the disqualification of a horse are immediately telephoned from their observation towers or from the vechicle that picks them up after each race. Stage Managers, placing judges Stationed in a pagoda at the finish line are three placing judges, who call the finishing positions of the first four animals to cross the line. In writing down the finish of the first four horses, the judges operate indepindently. When they have all done thes, they compare notes. If they disagree, they call for a photo finish; even if they agree and the finish was close, they call for a photo finish. Stage Managers, the veterinarians The veterinarian is a familiar figure around the track, some big stables employing one or two who devote full attention to their animals and who are paid by the year. Aside form these, at least two veterinarians carry the official title of "track veterinarian," one reperesenting the racing association and another representing the state racing commissioner. At the suggestion of the stewards, the track veterinarian may investigate the condition of any horse stabled on the grounds and pass upon the physical fitness of any animal when some question of its ability to perform is in doubt. 71 Endnotes 1. Albert Tillman, The Program Book for RQcreational Professionals. (California State Universlty, Los Angeles, National Press Books, 1973), p. 28. 2. Ibid., p. 29. 3. Ibid.,p.29. 4. Ibid.,p. 30-31. 5. Ibid.,p. 31. 6. Ibid., p. 28. 7. Marvin B. Scott, The Racing Game. (Chicaao. Aldine Publishing Company, 1968), pp. 1-186. 72 Detailed Space List Keeping everything in mind that I have covered so far I will begin the final phase of the program. I have broken down all of the spaces needed for a sucessful racetrack into four catergories: track, paddock, grandstand, and backstretch. The following is a general discription of each catergory, and after that is a detailed list of all the spaces found in those catergories. The Track: The track is the place where the horses actually compete. It should be completely visible to the public with site lines given particular priotity to the home stretch and the finish line. Adequate security measures need to be taken so that the public will not go onto the track. The starting gates are mobile and set up before each race at the proper distance from the finish line. The finish line is always in the same place, in front of the crowd. A large, readable tote board should also be visible from the grandstand. Access from the stables and paddock is necessary and the paths connecting these should not be subject to noise or other distractions that could disturb the thoroughbreds. The winners circle should be adjacent to the track, in full view. 73 The Paddock: The paddock is a formal setting full of traditional protocal. The thoroughbreds are brought into the walking ring from the stables, then are led to the apropiate stall. Every move of the thoroughbreds, jockeys, and trainers are under close scrunity of the public. There are many reasons for this: first it a good oppurtunity to observe the horse and jockey in full costume, and it is also the place where all the trainers brief the jockeys on how they want their thoroughbreds to run. The competor/gambler studies the facial expressions, and observes any particuliar habits of this trainer-jockey information exchange, hoping to add validity to their picks on the upcomming race. After the thoroughbreds are saddled and the jockeys mount, the horses parade onto the track, the crowd disperses either to the mutuels or back to their seat. The Grandstand: This is a place for people. A festive atmosphere, achieved with the use of color and texture of finishes, and also form and articulation of spaces. The atmosphere will help maintain the lure of the track. Access to the mutuels, concessions, paddock, seating, video tape machines, and information systems are all necessary, as most spectators will require the use of such services as often as a race is run. 74 The Backstretch Community: This is likened to a small town. People who live here socialize mainly among themselves. They eat, sleep, work, and play here. This is where the thoroughbreds are kept and cared for, and with over 1,000 thoroughbreds, this requires a lot of work. From owners to trainers to stable boy, all these people's needs require proper attention. The area is secured from the public, access is restricted. The stables need to be away from the noises of the crowd and cars, so they will remain calm. Unnessary spooking of the thoroughbreds could have an adverse effect on them and ultimetely the race itself. 75 Detailed Space List — Track Space: Track Number of Occupants: 8-14 thoroughbreds with jockeys, starter, 8-14 horses with rider to help throughbreds into starter gates. Function of Space: provide safe racing curse for thoroughbreds and jockeys to race on and be observed. Equiptment: starting gate, tote board, railing surrounding track, photo finisk camera. Space Requirement: Materials - sandy loam track, wood railing, hedges, and other landscaping. Privacy - fully open to public viewing, no public access. Acoustics - need to hear starting trumpet, bell, pounding of hoofs, roar of the crowd. Lighting - natural Dimensions - one mile and one quarter oval track, two chutes at 7 furlongs, and one and one quarter miles. Power 220 V for tote boards, 110 v for security night lighting. Communications: public address system, Track telephone 76 Detailed Space List — Track Space: starting gate Number of Occupants: 8-14 thoroughbreds with jockeys, starter. Equiptment: truck, tractor to haul the gate to the starting position, electronic starter. Funstion: to ensure a fair start of the thoroughbreds, Space Requirements: Materials - durable, steel with paint. Privacy - only thoroughbreds with jockey, helpers, and starter allowed access. Acoustics - open area, control limited. Lighting - natural Dimensions - 14 stalls, 4' X 8', with starter space, truck, tractor hookup. Power - 110v Communication: track telephone, electronic starter. 77 Detailed Space List — Track Space: Winners Circle Square footage: 1,200 -1,500 sf. Number of Occupants: 1 thoroughbred, 3-10 people. Function to honor winning thoroughbred, jockey, trainer, owner. Space Requirements: Materials - sandy loam ground, railing, hedges, flowers Privacy - fully open to public viewing, no public access. Acoustics - open area. Llghting - natural Dimensions - semicircuiar, circular Power - IIOv Communications: public address system, track telephor 78 Detailed Space Llst ™ Track Space: Clerk of Scales Square feet: 40 sf Number of occupants: 2 people Function check weight of rider with saddle after race. Equiptment: official scales. Space Requirments: Materials Durable, colorful Privacy - fully open to public viewing, no public access. Acoustics - open area Lighting - natural Dimensions - 5'x8' Power - IIOv Communications: track phone. 79 Detailed Space List -~ Track Space: Storage of track maintence equiptment Square footage: 6.400 sf. Number of occupants: 10-20people Function: house and shelter track maintence equiptment. Equiptment: four tractors with rakes, one sod truck. watering trucks, misc. repair equiptmer Space Requirments: Materials - Durable, concrete flooring. Privacy - worker access only, out of spectator vií Acoustics - absorbant. Lighting - natural and artificial, 30 fc. Dimensions - 64'X 100' Power - 220v and 110v Ventilation - open air and natural Communications: track phone 80 Detailed Space List — Paddock Space: Saddling barn Square footage: 1.120 sf. Number of occupants: 8-14 thoroughbreds with jockey and trainer, Function trainer saddling horse, give racing instructions to jockeys. Space Requirements: Materials - Natural, wood, sandy loam ground. Privacy - fully open to public viewing, no public access. Acouctics - as absorbent as possible. Lighting - natural Dimensions - 14stalls8'x10'. Power - none Ventilation - open air Communications: track phone. 81 Detailed Space List ~- Paddock Space: Walking ring Square footage: 7,500 sf. Number of occupants: 8-14 thoroughbreds with jockey and trainer. Function: provide area to settle horses, and display the horse and jockey. Space Requirements: Materials - natural wood, sandy loam ground, hedges, flowers. Privacy - fully open to public viewing, no public access. Acouctics - open area Lighting - natural Dimensions - oval ring Ventilation - natural Communications: track phone 82 Detailed Space List — Paddock Space: Jockey clubhouse Square footage: 6,000 sf Number of occupants: 40 - 60 people Function provide a place that the jockeys can change, shower, and relax inbetween races, also provide a place to exchange information for the betterment of the competition. Furniture/Equiptment: couches, chairs, tables, tv monitors, showers, toilets. Space Requirements: Materials Durable, colorful, comfortable. Privacy - Limited access to jockeys, trainers, and owners. Acoustics - Absorbent Lighting - 30 f.c. Dimensions - not rigid Power - 110v Ventilation - mechanical: 10-12 airchanges per hour natural: 2 airchanges per hour. Communications: track phone. 83 Detailed Space Llst ~- Paddock Space: Stands for viewing Square footage: 1,000 sf. Number of occupants 500 people Function: to provide a comfortable place for the viewing public in between races. Space Requirements: Materials - metal stands Privacy - open to public Acouctics - absorbent Lighting - natural and artif Dimensions - 50' X 20' Ventilation - natural Communications: pay telephones 84 Detailed Space List — Grandstand Space: Concessions Square footage: 350 sf Number of occupants: 2 people Number of spaces: 15-18 Function to provide cheap food to the spectators with some variety and high accesibility. Equiptment: stoves, microwave ovens, beverage dispensers, refrigrators, freezers, misc. food preparation equiptment. Space Requirements: Materials colorful, presenting a clean, healthy atmosphere. Privacy - worker access only to food prepartion, service area, public access to counter. Acouctics absorbent Dimensions - not rigid Power 220vand IIOv Communications concessions phone 85 Detailed Space List ™ Grandstand Space: Mutuels Square footage: 350 sf. Number of occupants: 15 people Number of spaces: 12-15 Function: to sell pari-mutuel tickets to spectators and also to cash in winning tickets. Equiptment: mutuel computers, cash distributing system Space Requirements: Materials - durable, colorful Privacy - security behind counters is high, front of counter is open to public. Acouctics - absorbent Lighting - 50 f.c. Dimensions - 6' X 50' Power - IIOv Ventilation - mechanical: 10-12 airchanges per hour natural: 2 airchanges per hour Communication: Security phone, track phone 86 Detailed Space List -- Grandstand Space: Security Square footage: 500 sf. Number of occupants: 30-40 people Function: a headquarters for the security of the grandstand and track. Furniture/Equiptment couches, chairs, tables, security camera tv monitors. Space Requirements: Materials - durable, pleasant Privacy - employees allowed in only, public access through window. Acoustics - absorbent Lighting - 30 f.c. Power - IIOv Ventilation - mechanical: 10-12 airchanges per hour natural 2 airchanges per hour Communications: security phone, track phone, public phon( public address system, 87 Detailed Space List ™ Grandstand Space: Rrst aid Square footage: 150sf Number of occupants 2 people Number of spaces 3-4 Function to administer first aid to those who have minor injuries and prepare and care for those who have more serious injuries until an emergency vechicle arrives. Furniture/Equiptment: chair. table, medical supplies. Space Requirements: Materials - Durable, easily cleanible, cheerful Privacy - access to public Acoustics - highly absorbent Lighting - 75 f.c. Dimensions - lO'xlS' Power - IIOv Ventilation - mechanical: 10-12 airchanges per hour natural: 2 airchanges per hour Communications: security phone, track phone, public phone 88 Detailed Space List ~- Grandstand Space: Operations Square footage: 2,000 sf Number of occupants: 15-20 people Function: houses main mutuels computing systems, and staff that maintain and operate it. Furniture/Equiptment: couches, chairs. tables. computers Space Requirements: Materials - durable. cheerful Privacy - access to employees only Acoustics - absorbent Lighting - 50 f.c. Dimensions - not rigíd Power - 110v Ventilation - mechanical: 10-15 airchanges per hour, natural: 2 airchanges per hour. Communications: Track phone, public phone 89 Detailed Space List -~ Grandstand Space: Gift Shop Square footage: 400-600 sf Number of occupants: 20-30 people Number of spaces: 3-4 Function: sell track realated merchandise, promote track image. Furniture/Equiptment: shelves, cabnets, cash registar. Space Requirements: Materials - durable, colorful, Privacy - open to public Acoustics - absorbent Lighting - 15-20f.c. Dimensions - not rigid Power - IIOv Ventilation - mechanical: 10-12 airchanges per hour natural: 2 airchanges per hour Communications: security phone, public phone 90 Detailed Space List — Grandstand Space: Trackside Ramp Square footage: 35,000 sf Number of occupants: 10,000-15,000 people Function: to allow as many people as possible a low cost view to the race, standing room only. Space Requirements: Materials - concrete flooring, grided onto a related pattern, using colorful brick and tile and sloping down to the track. Privacy - open to public Acoustics - open air Lighting - natural, and security lighting. Dimensions rectangular Power - IIOv Ventilation - open air Communication: public pay phones, public address system 91 Detailed Space List -~ Grandstand Space: Grandstand seating Square footage: 55,000-65,000 sf Number of occupants: 7,000-8,000 people Function: to provide low cost, comfortable seating to the spectators and avord a good view of the track. Furniture/Equiptment: steel and fiberglass seating, tv monitors and tote board monitors. Space Requirements: Materials - steel, fiberglass, concrete flooring, echoing the colors of the ramp area. Privacy - open to paying public Acoustics - slightly reverberent, giving an ominous silence prior to the race, and adding to the roar of the crowd at the climax of the race. Lighting - naturai and artifical 25 f.c. Dimensions rectangular, not rigid Power - IIOv Ventilation - mechanical: 10-15 airchanges per hour natural: 2-2.5 airchanges per hour. Communications: public pay phones, public address system 92 Detailed Space List -~ Grandstand Space: Mezzane seating Square footage: 40,000 sf Number of occupants: 4,500 people Function: to provide a higher quality seating and a better view of the track. Furniture/Equiptment: padded seating, durable flooring, colored accordingiy. Space Requirements: Materials colorful, pleasant seating Privacy - open to paying public Acouctics - slightly reverberent to achieve appropiate atmosphere. Lighting - natural and artificial 25 f.c. Dimensions - rectangular, not rigid Power - IIOv Ventilation - mechanical: 10-15 airchanges per hour natural: 2-2.5 airchanges per hour Communications: public pay phones, public address systenr 93 Detailed Space List -~ Grandstand Space: Clubhouse Seating Square footage: 30,000 sf Number of occupants: 3,000 people Function: to provide a high quality seating for patrons with a great view of the race Furniture/Equiptment: chairs, tables, carpet Space Requirements: Materials - Colorful. easy to change for vairity sake Privacy - open to paying public Acoustics - absorbent Lighting - natural and artificial 25 f.c. Dimensions - rectangular. not rigid Power - IIOv Ventilation - mechanical: 10-12 airchanges per hour natural: 2 airchanges per hour Communications: public pay phones. track phones, public address system 94 Detailed Space Llst -- Grandstand Space: Box Seating Square footage: 7,500 sf Number of occupants: 1,500 people Function: to provide an elete crowd the best seating available with the best possible view of the track. •-^•^ u Furniture/Equiptment: couches, chairs, tables, tv monitors, tote board monitors. ^^^^ ;^L./ ^, J/L Space Requirements: / / / 7 ^ • ' / ^ Materials - cheerful, brightly colored if ^ / /, ' Privacy - open to the paying public ^ ^ Acoustics - absorbent Lighting - natural and artificial 30 f.c. Dimensions - rectangular, not rigid Power - IIOv Ventilation - mechanical: 10-12 airchanges per hour natural: 2 airchanges per hour Communications: security phone, track phone, public phone, public address system 95 Detailed Space List -~ Grandstand Space: Press Box Square footage: 1,000 sf Number of occupants: 10-15 people Function: to provide adequate space for the use of television personel to cover main events. Furniture/Equiptment: chairs, tables, appropiate television broadcasting equiptment. Space Requirements: Materials - durable, appropiate Privacy - restricted access to employees only Acoustics - absorbent Lighting - natural and artificial 50 f.c. Dimensions - rectangular, not rigid Power - 220v and 110v Ventilation - mechanical: 10-12 airchanges per hour natural: 2 airchanges per hour Communications: public phone, security phone, track phone 96 Detailed Space List -~ Grandstand Space: Judge Officials, Announcer, and Control Studio Square footage: 600 sf Number of occupants: 10-12 people Function: to provide space for control of the track and also give the judges a good view of the track. Furniture/Equiptment: chaírs, tables, tv monitors, public address system controls. Space Requirements: Materials - durable, economical Privacy - restricted access, employees only Acoustics - absorbent Lighting - natural and artificial 50 f.c. Dimensions rectangular, not rigid Power - 110vand220v Ventilation - mechanical: 10-12 airchanges per hour natural: 2 air changes per hour Communication: security phone, track phone, public phone 97 Detailed Space List — Grandstand Space: Box Seating Kitchen Square footage: 4,500 sf Number of occupants: 30-35 people Function: to provide luxiourus food preparation for high paying patrons. Furniture/Equiptment: Stoves, ovens, microwaves, food prepararion equiptment, freezers, refrigrators, chairs, tables. shelves. Space Requirements: Materials - easily cleanible, durable Privacy - employees only Acoustics - absorbent Lighting - 75 f.c. Dimensions - rectangular, not rigid Power - 110vand220v Ventilation - mechanical: 10-12 airchanges per hour natural: 2 airchanges per hour Communication: track phone, public phone 98 Detailed Space List -~ Grandstand Space: Box Seating Dining Square footage: 15,000 sf Number of occupants 1.000 people Function: provide a pleasant atmosphere for dining, drinking while watching the races. Fu rn iture/Equ iptment: couches, chairs, tables, tv monitors, tote board monitors. Space Requirements: Materials - luxurious, soft textures with colors Privacy - open to paying public Acoustics - absorbent Lighting - 20 f.c. Dimensions - not rigid Power - IIOv Ventilation - mechanical: 10-12 airchanges per hour Communication: public phone, public address system 99 Detailed Space List ™ Grandstand Space: Clubhouse Bar Square footage: 1,000 sf Number of occupants 40-50 people Number of Spaces: 2 Function: provide place of social interaction and sen/ice of beverages. Furniture/Equiptment: bar, tables, stools, chairs, tv monitors, beverage dispensing equiptment. Space Requirements: Materials - colorful, exciting atmosphere Privacy - open to paying public Acoustics - slightly reverberent inside space, insulated to perimeter spaces. Lighting - 25 f.c. over bar, 10 f.c. in bar Dimensions - not rigid Power - IIOv Ventilation - mechanical: 10-12 airchanges per hour natural: 2 airchanges per hour Communication: public address system 100 Detailed Space List -~ Grandstand Space: Box seating bar/lounge Square footage: 1,500 sf Number of occupants: 100 people Function: provide place for patrons to socialize and relax while enjoying a drink Furniture/Equiptment: couches, chairs, bar, tables, beverage dispencing equiptment. Space Requirements: Materials colorful, exciting, durable Privacy - open to paying public Acoustics - absorbent Lighting - natural and artifícial, bar area 25 f.c seating area 10 f.c. Dimensions - not rigid Power - 110v Ventilation - mechanical: 10-12 airchanges per li natural: 2 airchanges per hour Communication: Public address system, public pay p 101 Detailed Space List -~ Grandstand Space: Offices Square footage: 250 sf Number of occupants: 1 person Number of spaces: 7 for (Track Steward, State Steward, Assistant Track Steward, Race Secretary/Handicapper, Assistant Racing Secretary, Mutuel Manager, and Marketing Director) Function: provide users with adequade space to preform tacks. Furniture/Equiptment: desk, chairs, computer facilities, files, shelves. Space Requirements Materials - economical, durable Privacy - access only to employees and guest Acoustics absorbent Lighting - 100 f.c. work area, 50 f.c. circulation area Dimensions - not rigid, but related to each other Power - 110v Ventilation mechanical: 10-12 airchanges per hour natural: 2 airchanges per hour. Communication: track phone, security phone, public phone 102 Oetailed Space List -~ Grandstand Space: Video viewing Square footage: 1,500 sf Number of occupants: 25 people Function: provide viewing of past races in which horses of the day are racing. Furniture/Equiptment: counter, chairs, 20 tv with video hookups Space Requirements: Materials - colorful, exciting Privacy - open to public Acoustics - absorbent Lighting - 30 f.c. Dimensions - 30' X 50' Power - 110v Ventilation - mechanical: 10- natural: 2 aircha Communication: public phone, pi 103 Detailed Space List ™ Grandstand Space: Information systems room Square footage: 1,500 sf Number of occupants 25 people Function: to provide accurate information to patroons about the racing history of all thoroughbreds stabled at the track. Furniture/Equiptment 20 computer monitors and printers, tables, chairs, tv monitors, tote board monitors. Space Requirements: Materials - durable, non-distracting Privacy - open to paying public Acoiustics - absorbent Lighting - 50 f.c. Dimensions - 30' X 50' Power - 110v Ventilation - mechanical: 10-12 airchanges per hour natural: 2 airchanges per hour Communications: public address system 104 DEtailed Space List ™ Grandstand Space: Men's Restroom Square footage 450 sf Number of occupants 20 people Number of spaces 5 Function: provide area for hygiene Furniture/Equiptment: 6 lavatories, 6 waterclosets with partitions, 8 urinals, accessories. Space Requirements: Materials - waterproof, durable, easy to clean Privacy - extremely private, men only Acoustics - absorbent Lighting - 50 f.c. Dimensions - 5'-0" diameter provided for handicap turnaround; 1. 4'-0" x 6'-0" handicap stall; 5.3' X 4' standard stall. Power - 110v Ventilation mechanical: 10-12 airchanges per hour natural: 2 airchanges per hour. Communication: public address system 105 Detailed Space List -~ Grandstand Space: Ladies Restroom Square footage: 450 sf Number of occupants: 20 people Number of spaces: 5 Function: provide area for hygiene Furniture/Equiptment: 8 lavatories, 10 water closets, accessories Space Requirements: Materials - waterproof, durable, easy to clean. Privacy - extremely private, ladies only Acoustics - absorbent Lighting - 30 f.c. Dimensions - 5'-0" diameter provided for handicap turnaround; 1, 4' x 6' handicap stall; 7, 3' x 4' standard stalls. Power - IIOv Ventilation - mechanical: 10-12 airchanges per hour natural: 2airchanges Communications: public address system 106 Detailed Space List ™ Grandstand Space: Loading/Unloading Docks, with storage Square footage: 4.000 sf Number of occupants: 15-20 people Function: provide place for recieving of supplies for concession, restraunt, mutuels, and other needs. also to provide adequate stock space of needed goods. Equiptment: Fork lifts, loading dock, industrial shelvir Space Requirements: Materials - durable, economical Privacy - employees only Acouctics - slightly reverberent, give atmosphere of warehouse. Lighting - 30 f.c. to 50 f.c. depending on task Dimensions - not rigid Power - 220v and 110v Ventilation - mechanical: 10-12 airchanges per hour natural: 2 airchanges per hour Communication: track phone, public phone 107 Detailed Space List ™ Backstretch Community Space: Stables Square footage 6,000 sf Number of occupants 40 thoroughbreds, 20 stable boys Number of Spaces 30 Function: to give adequate shelter to the thoroughbreds. Equiptment: hay, oats, grooming equiptment, and other misc. horse and stable care equiptment. Space Requirements: Materials - natural, nutral Privacy - owners, trainers, and employees only Acoustics - open air Lighting - natural and night lighting 15 f.c. Dimensions - eachstall willbeS'xlO' Power - 110v Ventilation - natural air circulation Communication Track phone, public phone 108 Detailed Space List ~- Backstretch Community Space: Excercise Track Number of occupants: 1-20 thoroughbreds with trainer, rider Function: provide training grounds for thoroughbreds without causing unnecessary damage to racetrack, aiso the interior if the track will be utilized as a recreation area for the employees of the backstretch, offering such activities as soccer, rugby, football, softball. Equiptment: railing around perimeter, necessary recreational equiptment. Space Requirements: Materials - Sandy loam track surface, wood railing Privacy - owners, trainers, and employees only Acoustics - open air Lighting - natural and night lighting for recreation Dimensions - 7 furlong oval track Power - IIOv Ventilation - open air Communication: public phone 109 Detailed Space List ~ Backstretch Community Sapce: Administration Building with offices. meeting rooms, secretary office, restrooms. square footage: 3,500 sf total, 4 offices @ 250 sf, 2 meeting rooms @ 750 sf, 1 secretary @ 250, 2 restrooms @ 125, plus circulation. Number of occupants: 7-100 people Function: provide area to keep records and medical charts on thoroughbreds stabled at facility. meeting area of trainers. and owners. Furniture/Equiptment: couches. chairs. tables. desk. filing cabinets, shelves, computers, printers. Space Requirements: Materials - durable, colorful, economical Privacy - owners, trainers, and employees only Acoustics - absorbent Lighting - according to task Dimensions - not rigid Power - IIOv Ventilation - mechanical: 10-12 airchanges per hour natural: 2 airchanges per hour Communications: trqack phone, public phone 110 Detailed Space List -~ Backstretch Community Space: Security house Square footage: 150sf Number of occupants: 1 -2 people Number of spaces: 2 Function: controll traffic flow thru backstretch community. Furniture/Equiptment: chair, desk, computer, tv monitor. Space Requirements: Materials - consistent with backstretch Privacy - access limited to security Acoustics - absorbent Lighting - 50 f.c. Dimensions - 15'x10' Power - IIOv Ventilation - mechanical: 10-12 aírchanges per hour natural: 2 airchanges per hour Communication: security phone, track phone, public phone 111 Detailed Space List -~ Backstretch Community Space: Dormitory Square footage 140,000 Number of occupants 700 people Function: provide on site housing for the many workers needed for the tracks sucess. Furniture/Equiptment: beds, shairs, couches, desk, tables, tv, restrooms, closets, washer, dryer. Space Requirements: Materials - pleasant enviroment Privacy - occupants and guest only Acoustics - absorbent Lighting - consistent with task Dimensions - not rigid Power - 110vand220v Ventilation - mechanical: 10-12 airchanges per hour natural: 2 airchanges per hour Communication: public phones 112 Detailed Space List -~ Backstretch Community Space: Cafeteria Square footage: 30,000 sf Number of occupants: 500 people Function: provide good food to the workers in the community. Furniture/Equiptment: tables, chairs, cooking equiptment Space Requirements: Materials - colorful, pleasant Privacy - members of the community only Acoustics - absorbent Lighting - appropiate Dimensions - not rigid Power - 110vand220v Ventilation - mechanical: 10-12 airchanges per hour natural: 2 airchanges per hour Communications: public phone, public pay phone 113 Detailed Space List ™ Backstretch Community Space: parking Square footage: 150,000 sf Number of cars: 500 Function provide sufficient parking circulation for automobiles. Space Requirements: Parking space - 9'x20' Handicap space 13'x20' Circulation - 24' for two way Surface finish - Asphalt with concrete and brick curbs, sidewalks. Lighting - 5-10f.c. 114 Space Summary Track Track one mile, oval Chutes at3and 6 V^furlongs Winners Circle 1,500 sf Clerk of Scales 40 sf Track Photographer 20 sf Tote Boards 1,000 sf Camera Towers two, 50 feet tall (to monitor the race. making sure it is fair) Track Maintence Building 6,400 sf (house and provide maintence for all tractors, water trucks) Paddock Saddling Barn 1,120 sf (12stalls) Walking Ring 7,500 sf Jockey/Trainer Clubhouse 6,000 sf Viewing Stands 1,000 sf Paddock Judge 150sf Grandstand 15-18 Concessions 350 sf 15-18 Mutuels 350 sf Security 500 sf First Aid 150sf Operations 2,000 sf Gift Shop 600 sf Trackside Ramp 35,000 sf Grandstand seatir.g 60,000 sf Mezzane seating 40,000 sf Clubhouse seating 30,000 sf Turf Club seating 20,000 sf Press Box 5,000 sf Officials Studio 600 sf Turf Club Kitchen 4,500 sf Turf Club Dining 15,000 sf 2 Clubhouse Bar 1,000 sf Turf Club Bar 1,500 sf Track St^ward Office 250 sf State Steward Offfice 250 sf Racing Secretary 250 sf Assistant Track Steward 250 sf Assistant Racing Steward 250 sf Mutuel Manager 250 sf Marketing Manager 250 sf Dark room 150sf Video Viewing 1,500 sf Information Systems Room 1,500 sf 5 Mens Restroom 450 sf 5 Ladies Restroom 450 sf Loading/Unloading Dock 5,000 sf Storage Space 4,000 sf Parking 3,000,000 sf ickstretch Community 30 Stables @ 6,000 sf 60 Tack Rooms @100sf 90 Hot Walkers @ 350 sf Blacksmith Shop 2,500 sf Vetinary Clinic 4,000 sf Reabilitation Pool 2,500 sf Exercise Track 7 furlongs, oval Administration Building 3,500 sf Security House 150sf Dormitory for 250 80,000 sf Cafeteria 30,000 sf Hay Barn 5,000 sf Parking 150,000 sf Space Relationships Track Relationship Matrix (table #5) Track Chutes Winners Circle Clerk of Scales Track Photographer Tote Board Camera Towers Track Maintence Paddock Relationship Matrix (table #6) Saddling Barn Walking Ring Jockey/Trainer Clubhouse Viewing Stands Paddock Judge Backstretch Community Relationship Matrix (table #7) Stables Tack Rooms Hot Walkers Blacksmith Shop Vetinary Clinic Reabiliation Pool Exercise Track Administration Building Security House Dormitory Cafeteria Hay Barn Parking Primary Secondary 117 Grandstand Relationship Matrix (table #8) Concessions Mutuels Security First Aid Operations Gift Shop Trackside Grandstand Mezzane Clubhouse Box Press Box Officials Studio Box Kitchen Box Dining Clubhouse Bar Box Bar Offices Dark Room Video Viewing Info. Systems Mens Restroom Ladies Restroom Docks Storage Parking Primary o Secondary i Documentation The design process continued, after the programing phase was complete, with some preliminary sketches of different parti for a grandstand. Once several parti were discovered, I then constructed some study models of three specific concepts. This allowed me to see the grandstands in three-dimensions. Next I followed up with some floor plans, and sections, along with some considerstion to the layout of the seating and the capacity of the grandstand. The next step was a more indepth look at the space of two concepts, the suspention system, and the arch system that spanned over the track. I constructed two more study models at a bigger scale and began to manipulate them in the process of coming up with a solution that would satisfy the majority of my goals. After the midterm critique, I finally selected one concept to concentrate on, the arch system. The problem that really consumed the majority of my time for weeks after this was: how to bring the arches sucessfully down to the ground. I went through several sketches and line drawings of differing conceptual sections. After resolving this problem the design began to pull together and I began my final presentation. On the following pages are reductions of the majority of my design sketches, photos of all my study models, and also my final presentation. >r'^ M, V // I •/ i 8 í =^ r~\ .^.^^ .^ I 1L_J _., J!'' ^) t •l^.m:-i^l ! < í %• * "o •^ •" > \'s >1 'j, n \ fiA f au co 5 ^ o oco: HUI H o jO o 5 bj Q. u î , a: > Ul u z < K o î UJ !r a < o: t w —Z w-j > Qí -I >< — H Z O j • 3 O o o t/> — CÛ X ca X 1 ^ " GO OO OO