This was first publisheed in the May 18, 1954 issue of the Long Beach Independent-Press-Telegram. Sports Page 3
Alamitos Gets New Structure
By JERRY WYNN
The rags to riches story of Los Alamitos Race Course will get a new chapter soon with the construction of a million dollar grandstand.
Track President Frank Vessels Sr. ann0unced Saturday that Arthur Froehlich, internationally famous race track architect, has been commissioned to design the new four-story, three deck structure which will have a seating capacity of 5,000. It will also house the track offices, jockey quarters, hospital, hospital, coffee shop, turf club, press box, judges stand and photo finish camera booth.
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The new grandstand, when completed, will occupy half the length of the present stands and will be equipped with elevators for the convenience of patrons. The main betting ring will be located on the same level as the present ramp, providing a walk-in betting ring similar to the one in the clubhouse.
Froehlich, who designed the present Los Alamitos Race Course clubhouse, gained wide fame for his work in designing the Hollywood Turf Club, Las Vegas, Panama and Del Mar tracks.
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The decision to step up the planned program of improvements and expansion at Los Alamitos followed in the wake of the most successful meeting in the track’s history.
The 20-day season completed earlier this month saw the daily average attendance soar to 6,139 patrons and the average daily wagering to $374,722, an increase of 11.0% in attendance and 14.67 per cent in pari-mutuel handle over the previous Los Alamitos season.