Prairie Meadows to get a new poker room, horse barn
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Prairie Meadows is planning a $2.2 million upgrade, including a new horse barn and the relocation of its poker room.
Why it matters: The Altoona casino annually generates millions of dollars for public initiatives.
- The upgrades aim to sustain or grow revenue amid increased competition and shifting demand.
Driving the news: Polk County Supervisors approved the project last month.
Context: Polk County owns the property and leases it to the casino.
- Any improvements costing over $100,000 require the county's consent.
Stunning stat: Prairie Meadows, one of the few nonprofit casinos in the United States, has generated over $2.3 billion in taxes and charitable contributions since the 1990s, supporting projects from schools to parks and major civic amenities.
State of play: The barn will cost an estimated $1.5 million and be built on the backside of the track — the area where horses are housed and trained.
- A $200,000 circular horse exerciser is also in the planning stages.
Zoom in: The remaining costs would move poker from the casino's second floor to its fourth, freeing up space for other gaming uses, Prairie Meadows CEO Brian Ohorilko told supervisors.
What's next: Most of the work is expected to take place this fall, with design plans and contractors still to be finalized.