SWARTZ CREEK, MI -- Sports Creek Raceway, potentially Michigan’s only site for thoroughbred racing in 2019, has been sold, representatives of the buyer and seller of the shuttered facility say.
Sports Creek Acquisitions Inc., and AmWest Entertainment LLC, said Friday, Dec. 14, that the sale is complete but did not disclose details of the deal.
City tax records place the fair market value of the Morrish Road property at more than $3 million.
AmRace, an affiliated company of AmWest, was granted state permission to simulcast and host thoroughbred racing in an order issued by the Michigan Gaming Control Board Oct. 31, but still must meet several stipulations of that order and missed the initial deadline to complete a sale or lease.
“We are pleased to report that our group has acquired the Sports Creek property," AmWest Chief Executive Officer Nelson E. Clemmens said in an email to MLive-The Flint Journal. "We do have several more steps in the process of finalizing all of the requirements that need to be in place in order to start simulcasting as soon as possible and racing this summer. But I will say that our AmRace team is very excited for the launch of our operations there and especially for a bright future for Michigan racing.”
Chris Locking, a former general manager of Sports Creek and registered agent of the seller, confirmed the sale but declined to discuss details.
“We wish them success,” Locking said. “We were happy someone ... acquired the property (and will) continue” horse racing on site.
Sports Creek closed in January 2015 after nearly 30 years of operation, part of a broader slump in the popularity of horse racing in Michigan.
Although there were once 13 tracks in the state, all but Northville Downs, which features harness racing, have closed since, and Sports Creek is the only of those closed facilities with an intact track.
Mayor David Krueger said he welcomes news of the sale, in part because it’s expected to end the deterioration of buildings that make up the property.
“We’re so happy to see it,” Krueger said. “It’s a great boon to the city.”
A state Gaming Control Board spokeswoman said in an email to The Journal that AmRace representatives have been involved in informal discussions with regulators since it was granted permission to race.
Although the company missed the initial deadline for the sale or lease of Sports Creek, it isn’t prohibited from operating next year provided that and other conditions are met.
In addition to the sale or lease requirement, AmRace’s license and permit includes seven additional conditions set by the state gaming board.
Those requirements include a fire inspection report of the grandstand at the track, information about security measures and emergency preparedness, and a contract with a certified horsemen’s organization for next year.