Groundbreaking held for new Community Center at Horseshoe Indianapolis

The space will be utilized by both breeds represented at Horseshoe Indianapolis, including the Quarter Horse community which continues to grow.

Ground was officially broken Wednesday for the new Community Center at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

The structure, which will top $1.4 million, will provide new work and gathering spaces for the individuals who live and work on the backstretch at the track.

“We are so proud to officially begin this project,” said Eric Halstrom, Vice President and General Manager of Racing. “When Caesars Entertainment came into this facility five years ago, they developed a Racing Capital Fund Advisory Committee (RCFAC) for projects such as this over the span of 10 years. We have completed 30 projects with the funds, including a new barn, new dormitory, new Equicizer, and just last year, a new awning on the Grandstand. This Community Center falls right in line with our vision of providing necessary space, support, and comfort for the hard working people that are the engine of our racing operations.”

Halstrom was joined by Joe Davis, President of the Indiana Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA), Chaplains Micki Sajche and Otto Thorwarth, Tim Glyshaw, Executive Director of the HBPA, and Chris Duke, President of the Quarter Horse Racing Association of Indiana (QHRAI) as well as owner of Elite, the company handling the construction project for the groundbreaking. Also, former Executive Director of the Indiana HBPA, Brian Elmore, was on hand to officially kick off the development.

“This is a big deal for our backside community,” said Davis. “This area will be really appreciated by our people to actually have a chapel and meeting space for things such as our Christmas party. I want to thank Brian Elmore, Eric Halstrom and Joe Morris for pushing this along with the (Indiana Horse Racing) Commission. It was an uphill fight the whole way. You guys did a great job getting this through.”

The space will be utilized by both breeds represented at Horseshoe Indianapolis, including the Quarter Horse community which continues to grow.

“In the last two years, Quarter Horses have been able to train and stable here year round, so we have a lot of more full time residents here,” noted Duke. “This community center will be a special opportunity for them to enjoy and get a lot out of this building. Weather permitting, we plan to start working on the driveway later this week and hope to have a grand opening this fall.”

The facility will offer four offices, two meeting rooms, a recreation area, chapel, and kitchen in the approximately 7,000 square foot space. Offices will be provided for the HBPA and QHRAI as well as the chaplains, who are currently housed in a single wide trailer on the backstretch.

“It’s going to be a great addition, not just the chapel, but for us to be able to do more things with the people who are living on the backside,” added Thorwarth, who represents both HBPA and QHRAI as a Chaplain. “We plan to have language classes, English to Spanish, and Spanish to English, and hope to have events such as movie nights, game nights, and just give the people here some options. As everyone knows we are two exits from town, so it will be nice for them to have their own church to go into rather than our current meeting space in the trailer.”

Both Duke and Halstrom met numerous times with city officials to secure all permits and zoning for the structure. Duke noted the great cooperation and assistance the City of Shelbyville was in this project.

“I want to thank the City of Shelbyville for being so easy to work with on this project,” added Duke. “Some cities are not like that. We appreciate their efforts in bringing this project to the community.”

The 23^rd season of live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing returns Tuesday, April 15.