WICHITA, Kan. (KAKE) - The Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission has awarded a historical horse racing license to Ruffin Holdings' "Golden Circle" project at the old Wichita Greyhound Park.

The plan would remodel the park in Park City into a historical horse racing casino and hotel. The KGRC approved the bid 4-0. 

The site will be allowed by the state to operate 1,000 machines inside county lines. 

Park City Mayor John Lehnherr said earlier this week that the project would be a huge boost to the local economy and tourism, and will bring hundreds of jobs to the area.

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Drive up north on I-135 towards 77th street and you’ll be on the edge of Park City. This area is also going to be the new home to big development in the area, a new casino.

However this one is a little different from any other in the state.

“It is a casino. It just happens to have historical horse racing machines in there," Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission Government Relations Manager Randy Evans told KAKE Monday. 

Historical horse racing machines were approved for Sedgwick county as part of 2022’s sports betting bill.

One site will be allowed by the state to operate 1,000 machines inside county lines. 

Two companies are vying for that license, Boyd gaming and their "Diamond Jo" project near Hartman arena and Ruffin Holdings' "Golden Circle" project at the old Greyhound Park.

Starting Tuesday, the two will present their plans to the KRGC for approval.

Evans says the process has no formal checklist but “each one of those entities will give presentations of why they believe their facility is right, how large it's going to be. The amenities, restaurants, other things associated with the facility of 1000 historical horse racing machines that would most benefit not only Sedgwick county, but the state of Kansas.”

Its a process the Park City is watching closely.

Mayor John Lehnherr said, “Several years back, we identified that the north end of Park City was ripe for development”

He says either project would be a huge boost to the economy and tourism since each are slated to cost over 100 million dollars to build and will bring hundreds of jobs to the area.

However, there is a favorite of the two. The city council endorsed the Ruffin led project back in June because it includes plans to build a 110 room hotel.

"That site has about 80 acres in it. We felt like that gives a lot more growth opportunity in the future."

The bid presentations are open to the public.

The process will start 9 a.m. Tuesday morning at the Drury Plaza hotel in downtown Wichita and conclude Thursday evening.

See a full schedule below:

AGENDA

Day 1 – July 11, 2023

  • 9:00 Welcome and Agenda Review
  • 9:15 Summary of Applications Received
  • 9:45 Applicant #1 Presentation
  • 11:45 Questions from Commissioners of #1
  • 12:15 Lunch
  • 1:45 Applicant #2 Presentation
  • 3:45 Questions from Commissioners of #2
  • 4:15 KRGC Financial Review
  • 5:00 Adjourn

Day 2 – July 12, 2023

  • 9:00 Comments from Government/Local Business #1
  • 9:45 Government Comments #2
  • 10:30 Break
  • 10:45 Government Comments #3
  • 11:30 Consultant/Economic Impact
  • 12:15 Lunch
  • 1:45 Public Comments (3 minutes each)
  • 5:00 Adjourn

Day 3 – July 13, 2023

  • 9:00 Executive Session (Backgrounds)
  • 10:30 Applicant #1 Closing Comments
  • 11:30 Applicant #1 Questions from Commissioners
  • 12:00 Lunch
  • 1:30 Applicant #2 Closing Comments
  • 2:30 Applicant #2 Questions from Commissioners
  • 3:00 Executive Session – (Receive privileged information/Deliberations)
  • 4:00 Instructions from KRGC Attorney
  • 4:15 Selection
  • 5:00 Adjourn