Keeneland enhances multiple elements of community experience
April 2, 2009
By Mike Thompson, Business Lexington
Lexington, KY - Given the existence of such an innovative, progressive, and continually evolving institution as Keeneland, it is obvious that there are significant impacts on various systems within the community that Keeneland has served for the last 73 years. The three most clear-cut, however, are the region's social, entertainment, and economic systems.
Social
Keeneland offers a supreme gathering place for any season — ideal for weddings, graduation parties, family reunions, and numerous corporate summer picnics. All of these occasions easily showcase its beauty, charm and local flavor. The 42 days a year that it is dedicated to Thoroughbred racing seem to bring more people to the grounds than all of the other extracurricular events combined. No doubt that the "outside" events do create numerous bonding opportunities on family and business levels. The racing days go a step further because they impact a much broader spectrum of connection opportunities. This is obvious to many, but not others, judging from conversations with seasoned Lexington residents who may have only visited the track once (or less) in a lifetime. What is obvious may need to be redefined in this case, because this jewel of a place is not just about the betting, the clubhouse, or the races per se. It is a meticulously groomed oasis in the middle of a minefield of commercial distractions that we can experience anytime of any year with or without anyone in tow.
Entertainment
This system stays close to the social system, but moves away in that it offers scenery watching, race watching and wagering all over the world, first-hand and personal horse watching and unlimited people watching. Of course, there are the horses, and according to my longtime friend and writing colleague, Rab Hagin, this is the one of the finest boutique race courses in the country, attracting complete stables now that it has a top-quality turf course alongside the new "turf dirt track." So entertainment is what you make it, and it can be many things at Keeneland, which can always be topped off with a variety of cuisine, including superb burgoo.
Economic Impact
Keeneland is an economic whirlwind. People arrive with money in their pockets to enjoy the day, wager, eat, experience the Sport of Kings, and return home to debate everything. In 2008, the average Keeneland "gate" (attendance) was up 3 percent, while the average on-track "handle" (total amount wagered) was down 6.1 percent. The current economy has had an apparent effect on wagering levels, but the increase in attendance suggests that new fans — typically not big bettors initially — are being drawn into the Keeneland experience.
This means that the value of Keeneland as a destination to experience the history, beauty and uniqueness of this special place appreciates to the community at large while the wagering diminishes only slightly. In times of cutting back and downsizing, this is another advantage to Keeneland and the special community that surrounds it in the Bluegrass area. Like the founders in the early '30s, the idea of doing something when times were hard with few to little resources took courage and a sense of confidence laced with hope. We too, as Kentuckians can continue to take the same approach to the many jewels in our own backyard. Keeneland is one to be proud of, enjoy and learn from for many years to come.
|
|
