Century Casinos has detailed a significant update regarding its Century Mile Racetrack and Casino in South Edmonton, Alberta, which is to see the firm invest in the region of $46.6m.

The organisation has pencilled in April, 1, 2019, as the date which its casino, restaurant, sports bar and off-track betting lounge are to debut, with the horse racing season scheduled to start with thoroughbred racing on the one-mile racetrack for the first time on April 28, a day after a grand opening gala event.

In a media release detailing the grand unveiling of the newest addition to its portfolio, Century Mile stressed that the complex “features a casino and grandstand building with a total of 89,700 square feet on several floors. Amenities on the first floor include a casino, which will initially have 550 slot machines and electronic table games, 38 stadium style games, 14 video lottery terminals, a restaurant, a horse betting area, a bar and a lounge.

“On the second floor there will be tiered indoor and outdoor grandstand seating, three private suites and viewing areas, all overseeing the racetrack, a bar, a horse betting area, a buffet and a grill. On the third floor an open patio will provide stunning views over the racetrack and paddock.”

Adding: “On the 100 acres of land the company also built barns with a capacity of 800 stalls including all amenities needed by horsemen and trainers, as well as 1,700-plus car parking stalls. The one-mile racetrack features many desirable characteristics, most notably the 1,280-foot homestretch, making it one of the longest in North America”.

The main racing events at Century Mile, featuring thoroughbred, standardbred and quarterhorse, throughout 2019 will be the Oaks and Derby Preview on Canada Day, July 1, the Packwood Grand event on August 17, the $150,000 grade 3 Canadian Derby on August 18, followed by the $130,000 Western Canadian Pacing Derby, the $130,000 Don Byrne Memorial on September 15 and wrapping up with the $350,000 Alberta Superfinals on November 2.

Century Mile assumed the operation of the parimutuel off-track and internet horse betting in Northern Alberta starting January 1, 2019, adding 20 off-track betting parlors to the 13 already operated by Century Bets.