Churchill Downs unveiled plans for a $9-million renovation project, including construction of 'The Mansion,' located on the sixth floor of the Clubhouse and providing seating and exclusive entertainment opportunities for more than 320 guests.

"We've been hinting at details of The Mansion and those mentions have generated considerable buzz in our community and the racing and sports entertainment industries, so it's good to provide some enticing details of a marvelous venue that will take the Kentucky Derby experience to an extraordinary new level," said Churchill Downs Racetrack President Kevin Flanery. "Few events in the world can offer the experiences provided by the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks, which combine entertainment, fashion, celebrity, food and fun with the excitement generated by the world-class races that are their respective centerpieces. The sensations experienced by our guests in The Mansion will be unlike any offered in our 138-year history."

Patrons can access The Mansion via a private elevator and the area will include a covered outdoor terrace, a dining room, living room, library, parlor and veranda. The Mansion will take the place of the previous media center.

Other projects revealed yesterday include construction of a new media center; the razing of the Paddock Pavilion to make way for an open gathering space for racing, business and social events; and the relocation and expansion of the track's Gold Room.

"The four projects getting underway this summer at Churchill Downs are the latest steps in an ongoing effort to improve and enhance both the facilities and the customer experience at Churchill Downs," Flanery said. "The more than $150 million in spending on facilities over the past decade at Churchill Downs has been targeted toward that goal and represents a significant investment in our city, state and region. We will continue those efforts to ensure that the Kentucky Derby, Kentucky Oaks and their home track remain major economic engines for our region for decades to come."