Celebrating 67 Years of Tradition
Wheeling Downs was built in 1937, one year after the flood of 1936. In the 1940's, it was turned into a showplace of shrubbery and steeples, hence nicknamed the miniature Churchill Downs. The thoroughbred facility at Wheeling, WV thrived for many years.
On a frozen January day in 1962 a fire destroyed the clubhouse. Wheeling Downs remained closed until thoroughbred racing returned in 1967 after the clubhouse was rebuilt.
Wheeling Downs featured harness and flat racing at various times in its history through the mid 1970's. Attendance and handle declined and the racing schedule shrunk. When the West Virginia legislature approved greyhound racing and a local referendum concurred in 1976, a million dollar conversion from flat racing to greyhound racing begun.
The racing surface was rebuilt from a half-mile horse oval to a quarter-mile greyhound track. The horse barns were razed and greyhound kennels built.
In 1981, expansion continued when the lobby and the north end of the grandstand (currently the Fairgrounds gaming parlor) were built. Sportsystems Corporation, a subsidiary of Delaware North Companies, purchased Wheeling Downs in 1988 in the midst of the largest expansion project seen at the Island raceway at that time. The project saw the creation of the track's beautiful clubhouse in a 28,000 square foot addition. The elegant dining room and lounge, as well as more casual clubhouse seating, continues to offer the greatest selection to racing fans.
In addition to exciting live greyhound racing, in 1994 Wheeling Downs introduced off-track betting on the best thoroughbred and greyhound tracks in the U.S. The simulcast parlor quickly developed a loyal following.
That same year, video lottery arrived at Wheeling Downs. Video poker, blackjack and keno were offered to patrons in 1994 in the Fairgrounds Gaming Parlor. Two years later, video slot games and progressive jackpots, some with jackpot minimums starting at $20,000, were introduced.
By December 1999, Wheeling Downs saw the addition of "reel" slot machines with coin drop. During that time, the gaming center was undergoing its most magnificent expansion with the addition of the Island Room. Open to the public since June 2000, the 34,000 square foot Island Room greets visitors with an exotic island décor that includes tiki hut roofs, mosaic carpeting, palm trees, bamboo and mahogany. The Islander Buffet was also introduced with a delicious array of fare during extended hours daily.
Early in 2002, Wheeling Downs became known as Wheeling Island Racetrack & Gaming Center and the largest addition to the complex began. In late summer 2003, a $68 million expansion project added a 151-room deluxe hotel, an additional 30,000 square feet of gaming, 660 seat showroom, casual and fine dining venues, a food court, meeting and banquet facilities and a gift shop to its list of amenites. The massive addition also displays the same lush island atmosphere with pastel rooflines and faux fronts to resemble a stroll through a Caribbean town during an island getaway.
In March 2004, Wheeling Island underwent a nearly $1 million renovation to its Islander Buffet originally built during the June 2000 Island Room expansion. Currently housing four new action stations offering made-to-0rder dishes, the Islander Buffet is a bountiful display of grilled meats and seafood at Grilligan's Island; pastas and fresh vegetables at The Bohemian Skillet; warm-baked breads at The Village Market and desserts and two silky chocolate fountains with fresh fruits for dipping at Dessert Island.
Most recently, the Pirates Food Cove welcomed Hershey's Ice Cream Parlor with a unique cold creation station encouraging guests to create their own tasty ice cream treat from a variety of ingredients and toppings. Also on the menu are traditional shakes, sundaes, cones and banana splits that guests have come to know and love.
Wheeling Island has been the hub of social activity for 67 years and is proud to celebrate that heritage with a 67th Anniversary Celebration August 7th – 13th. Wheeling Island has evolved into one of the state’s largest attractions unlike any imaged by our predecessors 67 years ago.