Century Casinos, Inc. has announced that Century Mile Racetrack and Casino in south Edmonton, Alberta will be opening its casino, restaurant, sports bar and off-track betting lounge on April 1, 2019.
The horse racing season is scheduled to start with Thoroughbred racing on the one-mile racetrack for the first time on April 28. A grand opening gala is planned for the evening of April 27.
Century Mile Racetrack and Casino is the company's latest development, located on Edmonton International Airport land and close to the city of Leduc, south of Edmonton. The location is ideally positioned exiting off the Queen Elizabeth II Highway, which is the main corridor between Calgary and Edmonton and one of the most heavily used highways in western Canada. It is close to the airport, a shopping mall, retail outlets, hotels, a golf course and an abundance of other businesses. The company is investing approximately $46.6 million USD, based on the exchange rate in effect as of February 26, 2019, in the development.
Century Mile features a casino and grandstand building with a total of 89,700 square feet on several floors. Amenities on the first floor include a casino, which will initially have 550 slot machines and electronic table games, 38 stadium style games, 14 video lottery terminals, a restaurant, a horse betting area, a bar and a lounge. On the second floor there will be tiered indoor and outdoor grandstand seating, three private suites and viewing areas, all overseeing the racetrack, a bar, a horse betting area, a buffet and a grill. On the third floor an open patio will provide stunning views over the racetrack and paddock.
An artist’s rendering of the Century Mile Racetrack and Casino
On the 100 acres of land that the company also built barns with a capacity of 800 stalls including all amenities needed by horsemen and trainers, as well as 1,700-plus car parking stalls. The one-mile racetrack features many desirable characteristics, most notably the 1,280-foot homestretch, making it one of the longest in North America. Horses will race distances from four and a half furlongs to one and one-half miles. There will also be the opportunity to run the popular distance of seven furlongs, a distance also available at the company's Century Downs racetrack in north Calgary. Century Downs, which opened April 1, 2015, is 160 miles south of Century Mile. Both racetracks will feature Thoroughbred, Standardbred and Quarter Horse racing throughout the year, according to coordinated racing calendars.
Century Mile assumed the operation of the pari-mutuel off-track and internet horse betting in northern Alberta starting January 1, 2019, adding 20 off-track betting parlours to the 13 already operated by Century Bets! in southern Alberta.
The main racing events at Century Mile throughout 2019 will be the Oaks and Derby Preview on Canada Day, July 1, the prestigious Packwood Grand event on August 17, the $150,000 Grade 3 Canadian Derby on August 18, followed by the $130,000 Western Canadian Pacing Derby, the $130,000 Don Byrne Memorial on September 15 and wrapping up with the $350,000 Alberta Super Finals on November 2.
(Century Casinos, Inc.)