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] RIVERSIDE PARK REMODELED , j Kansas City Course Converted Into One -Mile Track. * Recently Built Grandstand Moved and Increased hi Size — Other Conveniences Added for Fans Comfort. ♦ KANSAS CITY, Mo., May 22. A modern mile track, which was constructed during the past few months, now stands on the site of the original five-eighths course operated by the Riverside Jockey Club, seven miles from Kansas City. Complete in every detail, the new track will rank with the finest in the country. A few finishing1 touches are all that is required now before the opening day, May 27. An enterprise which necessitated the moving of 200,000 cubic yards of sand to fill in the creek that ran just outside the track was necessary, and a new creek bed had to be made before construction work could begin on the present plant. The grandstand, which was built last year, was moved over 600 feet to its present site, at a tremendous cost. It was also raised four feet to conform with the new track. It was placed in such a position that additional seating accommodations can be installed. The present seating capacity is 3,500, and it is expected that before the fall meeting the stand will be enlarged to accommodate nearly as many more. Parking space has been increased, so that now the grounds can accommodate about 10,000 cars. This space was leveled and will be made of oiled cinders and will be so drained that it will be dry under all weather conditions. The track itself is one mile and has three chutes, from which the six and seven furlongs, and one and one-quarter mile races will start. Entering the stretch, the horses will have a straight run of three-sixteenths of a mile before reaching the judges stand. Extra wide approaches to the turns, which are nearly seventy feet wide, have been made. The distance from the judges stand to the first turn is 110 yards, and in all mile, mile and seventy yards and the one and one- sixteenth mile races, the horses will have a good straightaway before reaching the turn. The back stretch, which is a quarter mile, is sixty-five feet wide, while the home stretch is seventy feet. A clubhouse of the most modern design is rapidly taking form and when finished will compare favorably with any in the land. This building, which is of fireproof construction, will be a two-story affair, and will be girded on three sides, and on it two floor levels, with broad verandas from which a full view of every part of the track can be seen. On the ground floor will be the general assembly room and donation windows, together with a large refreshment room and kitchen. On the upper floor will be the lounge and ladies rest rooms. The exterior walls will be made of stucco. Enlarged accommodations have been made in the lawns, both in front of the main stand and the clubhouse. They now will be able to accommodate twice as many people as formerly. Construction of the double width highway from Kansas City to the track will be completed this week and this improvement over the old single road of former years will add greatly to the convenience of the crowds in both going and coming. That the track itself will be lightning fast was proven by the fact that many horses have already worked quarters in better than twenty-four seconds. The Burlington Railroad has co-operated with the Riverside officials and have built a spur and loading platform, so that now horses can ship direct to the track. •
