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SPA COURSE TRANSFORMED ] Turf Writers Inspect Improve- ! ments at Saratoga Track. j ♦ ~ i New Clnb Housp Kni.t— Obstructions He- $ moved. Horses Now in View at All Points. NEW YORK. N. Y. June 14.— When racing moves on to beautiful Saratoga Springs in b August the ever-delightful course of that pop- A u!ar association will present a new picture. d Wonders have been effected in the building of a new club house and the making of some 1 changes in the old grand stand that will be t a revelation to patrons of the sport. Sunday Richard T. Wilson, with George II. g Bull and Victor E. Schaumburg of his official r staff, were hosts to a large party of turf ,, r writers who were taken to the "Springs . by special train and with all the comfort i and luxury that could be devised for such a t trip. The journey was to inspect the new s work that has been done. Of all the great improvements the one that impressed most possibly over the beauty 1 of it all and the comforts and conveniences provided for patrons, is that from any point in the club house and grandstand a perfect view is had of every part of the race course, t The old club hous9 shut off the view of r many of the start in the mile chute. This f lias been remedied by the ingenious construe- i tion of the new building. The mile chute is i in plain view from the rear of the stands. 0UDB1 BY EXPERIENCE. Mr. Wilson and the directors have spared 1 nothing to make the new club house the best appointed and most elegant in the world. Experience pointed out the needs and thought I was given- only to the convenience and requirements of those who make a holiday of their racing in August. The crowds of recent years outgrew the old quarters and rather than make a patchy addition the directors voted in favor of a new building to meet all requirements. Thought also was given to retaining the 1 old tone so that the new building should not be out of harmony with the old grand stand I and its surroundings. As a result, the walls have been tinted to harmonize with the stand and shrubbery will be planted to take away the effect of newness. The one thought was to preserve the atmosphere of the old, while I adding to the convenience and comfort of visitors. I The. new club house is ninety feet longer ■ and a full story higher than the old one. This insures more room and greater comfort. It now extends over the roadway from the I paddock to the track and advantage has been ! taken of this to introduce a novelty. This ] roadway is twenty-four feet wide and will 1 run through the westerly end of the building so that the horses will be under close in- : spection as they parade from the paddock after being saddled. DINING BALCONY IN TIERS. The first floor is much the same as in the old house. A wide veranda has been built. The second floor is devoted to boxes, while the third floor has been reserved for the restaurant, where Harry Stevens and his sons, Frank and Joe, will be able to cater to the wants of the patrons without disappointing so many because of lack of tables. Another novelty, and one which will be appreciated, has been introduced on this spacious balcony. It is built in three tiers, each fourteen feet wide, so that those who are unable to reserve a rail table will not have to stand on the chairs or crane their necks to get an occasional view of the horses as they charge down the stretch. Luncheon parties here throughout the August meeting are popular. It has come to be a regular practice, partly because of the excellence of the cuisine and partly because it was taken up by the smart set. In recent years many have been disappointed on Saturdays and other big days for the simple reason that room was lacking to take care of the reservations demanded. There will be much more room next August — quite half as much again. Thus one source of criticism will be quieted and add to the pleasure of manv. NEW STAND FOR OFFICIALS. The directors also were mindful of the comforts of tbe grandstand patrons. Most of the boxes, which took up so much room in that structure, have been removed to the second balcony of the club house, where 130 have been provided — a supply which more nearly will meet the demand than in recent years. The presidents box and one always held in reserve for the governor of the state have been installed in front of th promenade leading from the club house to the grandstand. A new automobile approach has been constructed, and it will be under cover. Elevators have been installed in the new building. The old stewards stand has been removed and a new one built farther back between the club house and the grandstand. A small pagoda, for the judges only, has been constructed at the track side. This is so much lower than the old stand that the view of the horses racing down the stretch is not obstructed from either balcony of the club house. The new recreation building for jockeys and stabl hands, and to be under Y. M. C. A. control, also is nearing completion. Two swimming pools are being constructed, one for the white boys and the other for Negroes, and every device for their pleasure and comfort is being installed. Dining rooms, billiard rooms, handball courts and open-air movies are included in the plans, and meals will be served at cost.
