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NewManagementHasBig Plans for Waterford Park ParkPlant Plant Undergoing Metamorphosis 46Day Meeting Opens on June 4 4By By Staff Correspondent CorrespondentCHESTER CHESTER W Va May 14 The initial phase of its planned metamorphosis to major racing status just about completed Waterford Park will open its first meet ¬ ing under its new management on June 4 The track the only onemile course in West Virginia will be hardly recognizable from previous years with new facilities and construction making it one of the most attractive plants in the East EastWaterford Waterford Park will conduct a 46day summer meeting continuing through July 26 The session will mark the debut in this area of the management team of James F Edwards Horace Wade and Nicholas J Tweel who took over operation of the track after its purchase last October OctoberOne One of the first steps the new manage ¬ ment took toward the goal of achieving recognition as a major racing center was to apply for membership in the Thorough ¬ bred Racing Associations Meeting the standards set by this organization the track was voted the thirtyninth member of the TRA in February The Thorough ¬ bred Racing Protective Bureau the secur ¬ ity arm of the TRA will police the sport here hereMeanwhile Meanwhile Waterfords vast improve ¬ ment and rebuilding program went on as scheduled Edwards president of the course executive vicepresident Wade and vicepresident Tweel decided to undertake an extensive modernization plan both for the racing itself and for the convenience and comfort of its patrons They were aided no little by the natural beauty in which the track is set amid picturesque rolling hills hard by the Ohio River RiverWith With the opening of the meeting less that four weeks away the major construc ¬ tion work is just about completed An air conditioned dining room awaits clubhouse patrons and a cafeteriastyle resturant also airconditioned has been built in the grandstand Bringing the horses closer to the fans a new outdoor paddock and walk ¬ ing ring decorated in the colors of the na ¬ tions most famous stables is another feature featureA A new mezzanine floor also has been constructed and new boxes and additional seats installed in the clubhouse New rest rooms and water fountains modern press box facilities and a new connectingbridge between the clubhouse and grandstand are among the many other improvements which will be ready for the opening openingRacingwise Racingwise the new Waterford man ¬ agement has installed an infield turf course bringing grass racing to West Vir ¬ ginia for the first time More than 75000 has been spent on improvements in the stable area and the purse minimum has been set at 1000 but many races are planned for greater prizes ranging up to 10000 10000Edwards Edwards is an experienced track execu ¬ tive also being president of Fairmount Park in Illinois He is a knowledgeable horseman too racing and breeding horses under his Audley Farm banner A noted eastern businessman he is associated with 33 companies and banks Wade is a veteran racing official and publicist who is the director of racing and public relations at Gulfstream Park while Tweel a newcomer to the sport is a successful business execu ¬ tive of Huntington W Va
