Bangor Raceway’s 123rd season officially gets out of the starting gate Friday, but there will be plenty of on-track activity Saturday as the newly-refurbished and renovated track hosts qualifying runs.

Horsemen will get their first up-close look and exposure to the improved paddock and grounds.

Bangor Raceway officials spent $90,000 to renovate barn A, now the main paddock, replace the timing and photo finish line system, grade the track, and replace the stone dust on the racing surface. Another $300,000-plus was spent to refurbish and upgrade the interior and exterior of the grandstand in an effort to improve the comfort level of race patrons and draw bigger crowds this season.

“We’re on the home stretch,” said Bangor Raceway general manager Fred Nichols. “We’re just finishing up the sound system and then the only thing left will be some last-minute adjustments or tinkering if we find things that need to be done during the qualifiers.”

If the weather cooperates, or at least stays drier than last year, track officials expect much better fan attendance and wagering early on.

“Boy I hope so. It couldn’t get much worse,” said Nichols. “Last year, we got so much rain it was like a swamp.”

The improvements have taken on a wide scope, ranging from the installation of a new sound system both in the grandstand and paddock; all new electrical wiring inside and outside the grandstand; a FinishLynx timing system – which was developed by a company created by Brewer High School graduate Doug DeAngelis – with superior reliability to the old one, the addition of emergency lights, and a much more detailed, crisper photo finish pictures provided by a roof-mounted turret camera; a newly repainted grandstand; and a refurbished grandstand interior.

“We’ve got a new arched, suspended ceiling and four new mutuel (betting) booths outside, between the grandstand and the track,” said Nichols. “There’s a new kitchen and bar area with more restaurant space and a more expanded menu with an actual tavern setting, too.”

Flat, widescreen plasma TV screens for all Raceway and simulcast races (and other sporting events when no races are occurring) have also been installed.

Interior improvements have not been limited to the grandstand as the paddock underwent extensive changes. The dirt floors were built up and are now topped by a compacted layer of stone dust to keep things dry.

“It shouldn’t be muddy,” Nichols said. “It’s also partially heated with six working offices in there. We converted some stalls into offices, put in new floors, walls, heaters, windows and ceilings.”

All the doors mounted to the stalls were removed to create obstacles and add more space and the stalls themselves are now wider and longer than what might normally be found in a regular outdoor paddock.

“There’s more room to move around and put equipment,” Nichols explained. “We invited some horsemen to participate in the planning of the layout of the paddock. They should be satisfied with the changes.”

Bangor Raceway will have 16 more race dates this season, bringing the total number to 44.

Andrew Neff can be reached at 990-8205, 1-800-310-8600 or at aneff@bangordailynews.net