Sturbridge horse center submits application for $50M racetrack project

Photo | Courtesy of Sturbridge Agricultural and Equestrian Center, via presentation to Sturbridge Selectmen The proposed Sturbridge Agricultural and Equestrian Center, which would have included horse racing, was voted down by the town.

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By Katherine Hamilton

The Sturbridge Agricultural & Equestrian Center on Friday submitted an application with the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to construct and operate a racetrack in Sturbridge, marking the first of many steps for pushing forward the proposed project, according to a Monday press release from the center.

SAEC announced the creation of its new governing entity, the Sturbridge Racing Oversight Board. The board is chaired by Reed Hillman, the former Massachusetts state police superintendent and state representative.

UMass Memorial Health CEO and President Eric Dickson will serve on the board, along with Michael Blowen, founder of Kentucky thoroughbred retirement nonprofit Old Friends, Robin Kalaidjian, a local horse breeder, and Tammi Piermarini, the third leading female jockey of all time.

The project is proposed for a nearly 300-acre lot off I-84 along the state border in Sturbridge. It will bring in $1 million and create 100 jobs, according to the announcement.

In the application, SAEC said it anticipates investing a total of $50 million to design and construct the racetrack over the next two to three years.

The Massachusetts House approved sports betting legalization in July. Senate President Karen Spilka said on Friday the Senate is looking at the issue, but may table it due to limited bandwidth.