It has been reported that live Standardbred racing will return to the Calgary area next month, as construction crews are putting the finishing touches on the Century Downs Racetrack and Casino, located near the CrossIron Mills mall in Balzac.

News of the April opening comes courtesy of a report by the Calgary Herald which has quoted the racino’s general manger, Paul Ryneveld, as saying, “When you see something that’s on paper and then watch it start to materialize, and now we’re within two weeks of opening the doors — it’s pretty surreal, actually.”

According to Century Downs’ website, the gaming floor at the racino is scheduled to open April 1. Ryneveld has told 660 News that racing is slated to start April 25. Also, a brief video that shows the current state of the gaming floor appears below.

Ryneveld was quoted as saying that “there’s a lot of pent-up demand from fans,” seeing as there has not been live horse racing in the Calgary area since 2008. He went on to say, “A lot of people have been following it (the progress at Century Downs) and are really excited about it.”

The report states that live Standardbred racing will be conducted this year from the end of April until the end of October and that live Thoroughbred racing at the track is expected to get underway in 2016.

The article has quoted Alberta Standardbred Horse Association Vice President Bill Andrew as saying, “People love horses, people love to gamble, and this combines the two things. We’re excited to bring racing back to Calgary.”

(With files from the Calgary Herald and 660 News)