In the midst of their 21st season of live harness racing, Hoosier Park Racing & Casino proudly unveiled a new, state-of-the art horsemen’s lounge on Tuesday, July 29.

The 3,600-square-foot facility is located on Hoosier Park’s backside, directly across from the race paddock, and will serve many different purposes for horsemen racing at Hoosier Park. Development of the new facility began in the spring of 2014 and was completed just in time for Hoosier Park’s signature event, the $250,000 Dan Patch Invitational, on Friday, August 8.

Half of the facility has been made accessible to any licensed Indiana Horse Racing Commission (IHRC) member and will provide numerous amenities including computer work stations, restrooms, flat screen televisions, a lounge area, and wi-fi access. The one-story structure also houses two offices for the Indiana Standardbred Association representatives.

The remaining half of the facility will serve as a locker room and lounge for the full-time drivers at Hoosier Park. Featuring both a men and women’s locker room, this section of the facility features individual lockers, showers, washing machines and a lounge area equipped with flat screen televisions.

“It’s second to none,” driver Trent Stohler noted after a tour of the building. “I don’t think we could have designed it better ourselves and I think I speak for everyone on the backside when I say we really appreciate what Hoosier Park has done with this.”

The doors of the building were officially opened at a lunch ceremony on Hoosier Park’s backside attended by both Hoosier Park team members and horsemen. Rick Moore, Hoosier Park’s Vice President and General Manager of Racing, led the ceremony and welcomed guests to tour the new facility.

“The opening of this facility not only signifies our commitment to all the people that make Hoosier Park a great place to race but Hoosier Park’s commitment to racing in the state of Indiana,” Moore noted. “This lounge is a place for everyone racing at Hoosier Park to call their own and a place we are proud of. I’d like to thank everyone who helped make this facility possible.”

The horsemen’s lounge will be maintained by Hoosier Park employees and available to horsemen during the live racing schedule.

Live racing at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino will follow a Tuesday through Saturday schedule. With a daily post time of 5:15 p.m., the 160-day meet will offer an extended stakes schedule be conducted through November 15.

(Hoosier Park)