The Maryland Jockey Club has announced that about $7 million in improvements at Laurel Park, including new barns for 300 horses and installation of new flat-screen televisions, are expected to be completed within the next month.
Despite record-low temperatures during February and March, one of two 300-stall barns should be completed by the first week of April, according to MJC general manager Sal Sinatra.
The upgrades include a new wash building with new lavatories for men and women and 20 wash stalls outside the building.
More than 150 new flat-screen televisions and projection systems have been installed as well.
The jockey club is installing a new surveillance system on the front and back side of the track.
The upgrades come online after what Sinatra recently described as a "horrible, horrible winter" in terms of weather-related cancellations. Bad weather has wiped out nearly a third of Laurel's 43-day winter meeting.
Laurel Park is owned by the Stronach Group, with also operates Pimlico Race Course.
"We continue trying to improve the live and simulcasting experience at Laurel," said Sinatra. "We will continue to make improvements over the new few months at Laurel and Pimlico Race Course."
Tim Keefe, president of the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, said: "It's all been positive stuff here. There's been a lot of updating. There's a lot of new televisions, projectors...even little things like carpeting.
"It shows the customer we are thinking of them, and the little things add up," Keefe said.
Reporter Childs Walker contributed to this story.