Horses could soon be racing again at The Woodlands.
The race track's new owner, Phil Ruffin of Ruffin Woodlands LLC, unveiled his new proposal for the closed track Saturday evening, but the plan is a long way from a done deal.
The proposal has two new amenities never seen at the racetrack before.
What's in the works?
Roughly 750 slot machines and an entertainment aspect with developers considering a themed bar or concert venue.
Public seeing proposals for The Woodlands property in KCK -meeting starting shortly.~ 50 people at Piper Mid. School pic.twitter.com/f6aZKLtfCR
— Brian Abel (@BrianAbelTV) February 27, 2016
Two pieces need to come together before the racetrack will most likely open.
Bills in both the Kansas House and Senate would need to pass. They would change the percentage of revenue taken by the state.
The Woodlands lawyer Scott Beeler says the first though is getting back the exact same gaming permit the track had before it closed.
Most WyCo residents at the meeting were supportive of the new proposal.
"An opportunity for a new beginning" for The Woodlands - Ruffin development attorney Scott Beiler pic.twitter.com/mBCLXjUs4d
— Brian Abel (@BrianAbelTV) February 27, 2016
If the hurdles are crossed, it would be at least a year and half before The Woodlands reopens again. The race track would only feature horse racing at first, but they could eventually bring back greyhounds as well.
Beeler says funding for the track is completely private and there will not be any increases in taxes to residents of Wyandotte County.
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Brian Abel can be reached at brian.abel@kshb.com.
