Girdler happy Corbin is getting track

Local News

February 18, 2013

Girdler happy Corbin is getting track

Mayor feels Somerset could benefit from development

by Chris Harris Commonwealth Journal The Commonwealth Journal Mon Feb 18, 2013, 10:57 PM EST

Somerset —

Somerset Mayor Eddie Girdler is happy that the planned Keeneland horse racing track will be in the Corbin area rather than Somerset.

That location stands to maximize its potential — and that’s something that Somerset itself could feed off of.

“We would feel that any type of development in Corbin along the interstate would have a positive impact on Somerset merchants and businesses to bring more tourist dollars,” Girdler told the Commonwealth Journal on Monday.

Keeneland Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer Vince Gabbert mentioned the “Lake Cumberland” region as being within the marketing scope of the quarter horse racing track during last week’s announcement, and the potential of the local tourism industry making the track a “good fit” for southeastern Kentucky.

Likewise, Knox County Judge-Executive J. M. Hall specifically mentioned Somerset as one of the places people might come to the track from, making Pulaski County relevant to Friday’s news regarding the Keeneland expansion. The track will be operated as a joint venture between Keeneland and Full House Resorts of Nevada, according to the Corbin Times-Tribune.

Girdler said that he recently met with Corbin’s mayor and has also been in talks with nearby London, Ky., over the years about developmental cooperation between the cities.

“Both Somerset and Corbin/London needs to do more to promote economic development as a region,” said Girdler, who noted that factors such as already-existing entertainment center The Arena in Corbin and the eventual planned meeting of I-75 and the yet-to-be-realized I-66 make for a greater potential for tourist dollars throughout the entire area.

But does Girdler wish it had been Somerset to get the track rather than Corbin?

While Girdler acknowledges that horse racing “is accepted by people” in this area, thanks to its rich history in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, being located in a community along a major interstate highway like Corbin is on I-75 means the track stands a greater chance of success than it would in Somerset.

“I think a facility of that nature would have a better chance of surviving and having a greater economic impact being on the interstate system,” said Girdler. “Even though we would welcome such a development in terms of working with Corbin and London, that would probably be the best location. You’d need the tourist traffic from up north and coming from down in Knoxville.

“That type of activity would not be boating-related,” he added, “and I think would have much more success in Corbin than in Somerset.”

Text Only

Local News

Fishing restrictions near Wolf Creek Dam halted by Congressional action
May 22, 2013 1 Photo
Lake Cumberland all better in time for Memorial Day weekend
May 22, 2013 1 Photo
Car collides with truck on Ky. 914
May 22, 2013 1 Photo
Minor damage reported after local afternoon storms
Pulaski County felt the first wave of strong weather blow through the area Tuesday afternoon, but came out much better for it than those in other parts of the country.

May 21, 2013 1 Photo
Local schools prepared for the worst when storms strike
News like that out of Oklahoma this week has a way of striking a nerve with the rest of the nation. Particularly, those charged with the care of children — many of which were victims in the Midwestern tornadoes — find themselves paying close attention.

Steve Butcher, superintendent of Pulaski County Schools, said on Tuesday that there was a meeting of his district’s principals that very day — only one day after the storms in Moore, Okla., that killed over 90 people — to address such matters.

May 21, 2013 1 Photo
War ration books remind us of difficult times during WWII
With 24/7 news channels spouting horrendous tales of terror and rampant crime, it’s easy to conclude the world has gone to the dogs; that these are dangerous times.

Sadly, horrific events are nothing new. For those old enough to remember World War II, nothing since has matched the impact this global conflict had on the American people.

May 20, 2013 1 Photo
Dwindling numbers close Pulaski Central as education alternative
Students needing instruction in an “alternative education” setting will no longer be going to Pulaski Central High School, according to county school officials.

With dwindling numbers at the facility on Bourne Avenue, the Pulaski County School District has decided to transition any students using its services to similar programs at either Southwestern or Pulaski County High Schools.

May 20, 2013
Mobile home gutted by fire
A mobile home was destroyed and two others sustained minor damage in a fire Monday afternoon that occurred around two miles west of Somerset.

May 20, 2013 1 Photo
Business booming for new liquor store
Five liquor licenses were approved for Somerset and the third store to open was this past week.
Called "First Stop,"the new package store it is located on the west side of U.S. 27 between lights 20 and 21, which is a little north of TSC Tractor Supply. The owner is Charlotte Perdisaris and the manager is Michael Scott.
Perdisaris has been working on getting the store ready for a number of months but was delayed by the shipment and installation of a large 10 x 20 foot walk-in cooler that lines the back of the shop. Otherwise, she thought they could have opened much earlier and, perhaps, have even been the first to open.With such a large cooler, they have a large supply of beer and wine in it to choose from. As to other spirits, they have a large variety of brands, especially high end brands such as Crown Royal and R&R. In addition, they have beer singles on ice. At this time, they are the only local liquor store selling beer in kegs.
First Stop is the last liquor store to open that is locally owned and operated. The remaining two licenses are to drug store retailers.

May 19, 2013 1 Photo
Scenic new trails opened at Pulaski County Park
Despite a rainy last several days, outdoor enthusiasts couldn’t help but play in the mud a little this weekend in celebration of the grand opening of biking and hiking trails at Pulaski County Park.
“We’ve been working on this .. for about four years,” said Pulaski County Judge-executive Barty Bullock to a crowd of around 50 people gathered at the head of the new trail at the park. “ ... It’s been such a good project.
“We think it’s going to be a huge asset to this community,” added Bullock.
The essence of the trail has existed at Pulaski County Park for decades as an Eagle Scout Trail. The newest trails, are almost 9 miles long, with five of those miles dedicated to biking.
The trail is built to the standards of the International Mountain Biking Association, a worldwide network that brings together serious bicycle enthusiasts.

May 19, 2013 1 Photo
More Local News Headlines

Local News

Search Results

Girdler happy Corbin is getting track

Mayor feels Somerset could benefit from development

Site Map