Mar 25, 2015 2 min read

They’re heading to the back stretch . . . with more racetrack improvements at The Meadows.

The Meadows Casino announced Wednesday it spent an additional $4 million on improvements to the back stretch area of the harness racing operation in North Strabane Township. That raises the total cost of upgrades to more than $10 million.

Upgrades include replacement of older barns and installation of new stalls, gates, matting, ventilation systems, windows and paving around the barns.

Work also has been done to alleviate stormwater and wastewater run-off, and installation of a state-of-the-art security system is under way.

“These investments confirm our commitment to providing high quality harness racing for years to come,” Kevin Decker, director of racetrack operations, said in a prepared statement. “While not seen by the public, these improvements will have a lasting impact on the drivers, trainers, staff, along with the health of the horses.”

The upgrades have been ongoing for about four years. About $6.25 million was initially invested to replace barns constructed for the opening of the track in 1963.

The 70-acre back stretch area features 22 barns with about 840 stalls, plus three blacksmith shops, two tack shops, offices for the Pennsylvania Harness Commission and Meadows Standardbred Owners Association, a 10-race paddock and a track chapel.