Demolition has begun on the final section of the old grandstand at Fair Meadows in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

© Mark Enterline / Fair Meadows

Over the past two years the fairgrounds first demolished the south end grandstand, then the north end grandstand and now the remaining middle section is being removed before the 2017 meet begins in June.

The racing office, concession stands, and restrooms, all stand-alone buildings under the big grandstand, will remain and will receive new roofs as a part of the project.

An older skybox structure that used to be the press room, then later served as a small restaurant or club room and it will be renovated to house the stewards and photo finish equipment as a part of the project.

The old betting windows that were down on the apron will be removed once the demolition is completed they will level, landscape, and roll in new grass then put picnic tables and bleachers down in front.

"It should be a lot nicer than the rickety old grandstand," Debbie Schauf OQHRA Executive Directory said Wednesday.

Tulsa County voters also approved a bond issue last fall that will pay for a new barn to be constructed which will also house the test barn and the jockey quarters in future years.

It will replace the old jockey building and the old saddling paddock area that is presently used for haul in stalls.

The new barn is not expected to be completed until 2018 but the grandstand renovations will be completed in time for this year's race meet at Fair Meadows.

The 34-day meet will begin June 8th and they will run four and five days a week until the 29th of July.

Fair Meadows is host to the Speedhorse Quarter Horse Futurity, Speedhorse Quarter Horse Derby and the Speedhorse Paint and Appaloosa Futurity which are run in late July. This year will also provide a venue for a new Paint Horse Claiming Futurity in June.

For more information on racing at Fair Meadows you can contact OQHRA or visit the association's website at oqhra.com.