By Les Stukenberg | The Daily Courier
The Yavapai Downs horse racetrack won’t reopen by Memorial Day Weekend.
New track owner Gary Miller said a delay in additional financing for repairs is causing the delay in the traditional opening date of the track.
“I hope things come through by the middle of next week,” he said this week. “I’m in discussions with several groups that have expressed interest.”
He wouldn’t say how much financing he needs except that it’s a seven-figure number. He said he’s “cautiously optimistic” he’ll get it. He didn’t want to go into more details about his financing. Currently he is the sole owner, he said.
Miller needs extra money to fix up the facilities and grounds after two years of neglect. For example, the 93,000-square-foot grandstand needs a new roof.
He knew it would be hard to get it open by Memorial Day Weekend. The sale to Miller was final on Feb. 13, which was 10 months after his winning bid in bankruptcy court.
He now is hoping for an opening date in mid-June.
