On Wednesday, a new casino opened their doors to players in the Calgary, Alberta area in Canada, offering casino gaming, including 550 slot machines. The Century Downs Racetrack and Casino is located in the CrossIron Mills area of Balzac and will provide horse racing as well, an activity that has been missing from the area for seven years.

The gaming and racing facility will have an oval of five and ½ furlong for Standardbred, thoroughbred and quarter racing with two chutes. Residents of southern Alberta are excited over the new facility, according to Horse Racing Alberta CEO, Shirley McClellan. Ms. Shirley stated that she comes to many events in the Calgary area and is asked on a regular basis as to when the Century Downs facility would be opening.

The facility is now up and running, with April 25th marked as the first day of horse racing. Thoroughbred racing is not scheduled to begin until 2016.