Belle-Clair Fairgrounds Revitalization: New Racetrack Project Update
St. Clair County officials have announced plans to complete the construction of a new racetrack at the Belle-Clair Fairgrounds by next year. The project, which is set to be located in the southeast corner of the 200 South Belt East property, will be carried out in phases. The Public Building Commission has approved a $4.1 million budget to prepare the site for construction, which includes demolishing houses and relocating utilities. Impact Strategies has been hired to handle the preparation work, following their previous contract to design the new racetrack.
Illinois lawmakers Rep. Jay Hoffman and Sen. Chris Belt secured a $5 million state grant for the racetrack project in 2024. The grant, originally part of the fiscal 2025 budget, has been moved to the fiscal 2026 budget. The funds are expected to be released to the county in the near future. Despite the lack of a cost estimate for each phase of the project due to the ongoing design process, progress is being made to finalize the design and begin the site work.
The Belle-Clair Speedway, which closed in 2020 during the pandemic, is undergoing a transformation with the construction of a new track, grandstands, concessions, and restrooms. The original target to reopen the Speedway in 2024 has been pushed back to 2026. The demolition of the old track was funded by federal COVID-19 relief funds, with additional funds allocated to purchase the fairgrounds and renovate the expo center. The county is working diligently to bring the new racetrack to fruition and revitalize the Belle-Clair Fairgrounds for future events and races.