Item 2. Properties
Item 2. PROPERTIES
General
The Company’s facilities, which are owned and operated under the name “Canterbury Park,” are a modern complex of buildings and grounds that generally compare favorably to other major racetracks located throughout the country. The Racetrack’s grandstand has a patron capacity of approximately 10,000 within enclosed areas and a maximum patron capacity of over 30,000 including outside areas around the grandstand. The grandstand and most public outdoor areas contain numerous pari-mutuel windows, odds information boards, video monitors, food and beverage stands, and other amenities.
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The Racetrack is located approximately 25 miles southwest of downtown Minneapolis. The area immediately surrounding the Racetrack consists of retail, commercial and industrial buildings, farmland, and residential areas. The Racetrack is close to a number of major entertainment destinations including: Valleyfair, an amusement park about two miles from the Racetrack that annually attracts visitors during the spring and summer; the Renaissance Festival, a seven-weekend late summer annual event located about five miles from the Racetrack; and Mystic Lake Casino, located about four miles from the Racetrack, which draws thousands of visitors daily. The Mall of America, the largest enclosed shopping mall in the United States, which attracts more than 40 million visitors per year, is approximately 17 miles from the Racetrack.
Racing Surfaces
The racing surfaces consist of a one-mile oval dirt/limestone track and a 7/8-mile oval turf course. The dirt track includes a one and one-quarter mile front stretch chute, a 6-1/2 furlong backstretch chute, and a 3-1/2 furlong chute and is lighted for night racing.
Grandstand
The grandstand is a modern, air-conditioned enclosed structure of approximately 275,000 square feet with a variety of facilities on six levels. The lower level contains space for support functions such as jockey quarters, administrative offices, Racing Commission offices, first aid, mechanical rooms, and electrical rooms. The track level includes pari-mutuel windows, restrooms, a variety of concession stands and other services as well as the Card Casino, which occupies 22,000 square feet. The mezzanine level contains 1,320 fixed seats in a glass-enclosed, air-conditioned area and an additional 3,000 seats located outside. The mezzanine level also contains pari-mutuel windows, restrooms, concession stands, and other guest facilities. A portion of the mezzanine level is currently being used as a simulcast center during live racing, and for banquets and other events during the off-season. The kitchen level is an intermediate level located between the mezzanine and clubhouse floors. It contains a full-service kitchen that supports a full dining menu for the track-side dining terraces on the clubhouse level and food preparation for the other concession areas. The clubhouse level is a multi-purpose area that includes a simulcast center for wagering on televised races, a full-service dining area during the live racing season, and a year-round banquet facility. The clubhouse level includes 325 trackside tables, each equipped with a television set, with a total seating capacity of 1,200 patrons and an additional 1,000 seats are located in lounges located throughout the area. The press box and officials’ level is located in the roof trusses over the clubhouse and contains work areas for the press, racing officials, closed-circuit television, photo finish, and the track announcer. In addition, the grandstand was structurally built to accommodate skyboxes under the press box/officials’ level, although none have yet been constructed. Escalators and elevators are available to move patrons among the various levels within the grandstand.
Expo Center
In 2014, the Company added an Expo Center, which is a 30,000 square foot structure designed for year-round special events, trade shows, and exhibits. The facility features 24,000 square feet of open event space and another 6,000 square feet containing an entry area, offices, restrooms and storage. Canterbury Park now offers the fourth largest event space in the Twin Cities with more than 100,000 total square feet of available space.
Barn and Backside Facilities
The stable area consists of 33 barns with a total of approximately 1,650 stalls. In the stable area, there are 240 dormitory rooms for the grooms and others working at the Racetrack. The stable area also contains a combination racing office and cafeteria/recreation building for stable personnel, two blacksmith buildings, and a 5/8 mile training track.
Parking
Approximately 5,500 paved parking spaces are available for patron and employee vehicles at the Racetrack, including parking spaces that are reserved for handicapped patrons. The Racetrack also has unpaved areas available for overflow parking for approximately 3,000 additional automobiles.
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Underutilized Land
In 2020, the Company transferred approximately 23 acres of land to the Doran Canterbury II and Canterbury DBSV joint ventures as part of its equity contribution in these projects. As of December 31, 2020, the Company has approximately 90 acres of land remaining that are owned or controlled by the Company that are not currently used for its business operations, and could be developed or sold, in whole or in part. See discussion above titled “Development Operations” and footnote 12 to the consolidated financial statements for more information.