Horse racing in Kentucky dates back to 1789, when the first race course was constructed in Lexington. Almost 100 years later, in 1875, Churchill Downs officially opened its gates in Louisville, and began its tradition as “Home of the Kentucky Derby” and the longest continually running sporting event in America. Churchill Downs Racetrack conducts Thoroughbred horse racing in Louisville, Kentucky during three race meets in the Spring, September, and the Fall. The racetrack occupies 147 acres, featuring a one-mile dirt, oval racetrack and a seven furlong turf race course. Thoroughbred racing, the Kentucky Derby, and the Kentucky Oaks have run continuously at Churchill Downs Racetrack since 1875. In addition, Churchill Downs Racetrack has hosted the Breeders’ Cup World Championship eight times. Over the course of three centuries, the track has completed several massive renovation projects to modernize its venerable grandstand and clubhouse and to accommodate its more than 165,000 guests on Kentucky Derby Day. (Source: www.churchilldowns.com)
Pictured is one of four Thermo-Kool walk-in coolers which recently shipped to Churchill Downs. Thermo-Kool’s uncompromising commitment to the highest level of quality and excellent customer service make a perfect fit for the historical facility. Thermo-Kool’s high density DURATHANE panel perimeter allowed each of the Thermo-Kool walk-in coolers to be preassembled prior to shipment for a thorough quality control inspection to avoid “hidden costs” at the time of installation. With Thermo-Kool’s the ability to manufacture in 1” panel increments the walk-ins are manufactured in the exact sizes needed to maximize storage space capabilities with no “cutting and pasting” required in the field! The white stucco aluminum provided on the interior ceilings along with LED light fixtures ensure maximum illumination. The walk-in coolers are designed with Thermo-Kool’s DURA-Floor heavy duty structural support floor to give additional strength of up to 12,000 lb stationary load per square foot to the floors. A foamed-in-place interior ramp is an integral part of the floor design for each cooler. In addition to the LED lights the walk-in coolers include temperature alarms with door monitors, motion detectors and panic switches, 14” x 24” peep windows, vinyl strip curtains and EC motors on the refrigeration to maximize energy efficiency. For additional protection from excessive cart traffic 1/8” treadplate kickplates are provided for the interior and exterior of the doors and on the exposed exterior of the walk-in.
The project was specified by Kristin Sedej and the team at S2O Consultants, Inc., Chicago, Illinois. Thermo-Kool Customer Account Representative, Wilson Bounds worked on the project with the S2O Consultants team and with Ryan Rongo with M.L. Rongo, Inc., Melrose Park, Illinois and Thermo-Kool Marketing Agents, Debra Cassidy and Joe Wagner with Cassidy’s Pro-Line, Lombard, Illinois.
