Horse racing was a fixture of the Treasure Valley for decades, but the sound of hooves on turf hasn’t been heard at the track since 2015.
For several minutes this weekend, horse racing will be the fashion as millions watch jockeys compete in the Kentucky Derby. The “Run For the Roses” at Churchill Downs might be the sport’s biggest event, but the Treasure Valley’s Les Bois Park held its own for years. The track in Garden City was a summer fixture – it brought in thousands of fans to watch the races and it provided a solid boost to the local economy.
The future of Les Bois Park is something Ada County Commissioners are wrestling with. The property is part of some 240 acres that includes Expo Idaho, the Western Idaho Fairgrounds and Hawks Stadium.
Ada County Commissioner Kendra Kenyon tells KTVB it’s unlikely horse racing will return to the track. She calls the venue one of the county’s most underutilized assets. She believes examining the future of the entire complex of buildings is more sensible than only targeting the track.
With an assessment of the entire property recently completed, the commissioners will chart out its future in the coming months. One idea is to revamp the property through a private-public partnership. Another, more complex option would be selling the land. Given the various stakeholders with facilities on the property, that could present a legal labyrinth.
Kenyon says before any final decisions are made, the public will be consulted for input.
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