Colonial Downs expected to reopen in 2019

A feel-good story kicked off the May 24 New Kent Town Hall as information emerged about the future of Colonial Downs.

After four years of closure, Revolutionary Racing purchased the race track this past month. The track had provided several jobs to local county residents and provided business and revenue to the county before operations ended after Jeffrey Jacobs surrendered his track license on Oct. 15, 2014.

Stephan Huba, who is representing Colonial Downs, said that the grounds will undergo a makeover in preparation for a 2019 reopening.

“This track is coming back in full force,” the representative with 20 years in hospitality services said to the crowd. “We are going to bring back even more jobs and renovate the 21-year old building.”

Huba also commented about core values and says the loyalty shown by customers in the past will be rewarded with loyalty from the new owners in the future. Currently, W.M. Jordan and Norfolk Design are scheduled to be involved in the track’s renovation.

The crowd in attendance viewed the announcement with a positive reaction. The track was bringing in roughly $400,000 a year to New Kent County prior to the shutdown.