view raw text
Fans to Enjoy New Look Arlington Above ; ris Elevator Company president E. E. ;tersen left and Benjamin F. Lind-jimer, executive director of Arlington irk, lead party of guests down the iwly installed escalators from third to econd floors of Arlington clubhouse. Right calators from first to second floors insporting some of the 10,000 racing is attending last Sundays Open »use at Arlington Park. Sixteen mov-j staircases have been installed at the mammoth Northwest Side plant. Many Took In Open House Last Sunday Seating Capacity Increased To Over 30,000; Mutuel Lines Also Certain to Find Favor ARLINGTON PARK, Arlington Heights, 111., June 23. — Although the majority of fans who will journey to Arlington Parks 1954 opening Thursday will be getting their first-glance at the "new look" plant, it will be a second "come see" for many thousands. Last Sunday, Arlington held open house and approximately 10,000 sports fans took advantage of the -managements invitation. Despite heavy morning rains, the terrific heat and a White Sox-Yankees double-header. The gates were thrown open at Sunday afternoons preview to allow the public to see the results of the first half of the ,300,000 improvement program that went into Arlington and Washington Parks. The event even blended well with the traditional Fathers Day family outing. Hundreds of men strolled throughout the giant stands with their wives and children, while others took advantage of the tree-shaded paddock area and the luxurious new lounges to sit and sip a cool drink. The big eye-catchers were the escalators. There are 16 of the moving staircases throughout the clubhouse and grandstand and in the paddock area, and they hauled the public up and down all afternoon. Executive director Benjamin F. Lind-heimer, his assistant, Kline Weatherford, and other track officials and directors were busy leading groups of sightseers on a top-to-bottom inspection. Many city and state dignitaries, press, television and radio representatives and other prominent Chi-cagoans were on hand. Henderson and Stein Point* Out Features The whole affair was a dress rehearsal for Thursdays opener. As autos flowed onto the grounds, uniformed attendants directed parking operations. Guests were then guided to escalator approaches to the stands by the ushers. Two of the busiest persons on hand were general manager Bob Henderson and architect Benjamin Stein, the latter designing the complete interiors. They pointed with pride to some of the special phases of the plant and explained how many obstacles were overcome to present the finished product. From the redecorated and relighted first floor to the top level, crowds flowed continuously throughout the day. On the second floor, they saw the new concession and mutuel facilities, new lighting and tile floors. The area has been redesigned to handle greater crowds and minimize congestion. Among the new first-floor crowd pleasers is the "Turf Corner," located at the west end of the clubhouse. The area is completely re-decorated and re-furnished with tables and comfortable chairs. Nearby are soft drink stands and bars. Hung high above the first floor mutuel lines are large oil portraits of past champion thoroughbreds . . . the Classic winners. Cavalcade and Gallant Fox; Equipoise, the Arlington Handicap and Stars and Stripes victor. An effortless ride to the second and third floors brought gasps of amazement from visitors as they took in the ultra-modern surroundings. Brand new mutuel lines and Continued on Page Ftfty?One Racing Fans to Enjoy New Look Arlington Continued from Page Three redesigned floor plans practically doubles the entire area. Floors are tiled and new giant chandeliers and fluorescent strips provide brilliant lighting. A new ventilation system services the second floor and continuously circulates new air. Rest room facilities have been enlarged. Modern bars and refreshment stands dot each level and new lounges have been made available; adorned by galleries of kodachrome and sepia blowups of-4eading jockeys — Arcaro, Guerin, Church and others. Also,, the modern thoroughbreds— Citation, Native Dancer, Twilight Tear and Hasty Road, to name a few. Arlington has been given a brilliant new dress of its traditional green and white. Seats througohut the clubhouse present a pleasing multi-colored sight, and some 5,000 new terraced seat-steps have increased the capacity to over 30,000. Later last Sunday afternoon, some 200 horsemen, officials and representatives of press, radio and television were guests al a cocktail party and buffet in the Posl
