I-500 track to undergo massive renovations before next race
SAULT STE. MARIE — Now that the big race is over, the I-500 committee is refocusing efforts on redesigning and renovating the racetrack.
The I-500 track is the largest oval ice track in Michigan and is a common tourist attraction in the days leading up to the annual snowmobile race. The race and its associated events bring in millions in revenue each year for the Sault Ste. Marie area.
For over a year, the I-500 committee, Sault Ste. Marie Convention and Visitors Bureau and city officials have been working on plans to improve the track and surrounding area. By the time the upgrades are complete, officials said the track will be suitable for hosting a wide range of local events capable of supporting thousands of spectators year-round.
"We want to make it so that anybody can put any event down there if they think they need that big of a space," said Linda Hoath, executive director of the convention and visitors bureau. "We want to give more space for everybody to do more things."
The planned renovations are the largest to take place at the 55-year-old track, though the site has grown and expanded significantly since its first race.
Past additions included adding dedicated spectator areas, a parking lot and connected road, and several buildings to host commentators, organizers and guests of the race. Much of the other necessities of the area are covered by temporary tents that host vendors and spectators looking to escape the cold.
The city received a $2.5 million grant one year ago from the Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration's American Rescue Plan to help with the construction, though the visitors bureau will have to raise 20 percent of it to match and may need to raise more funds besides that to finish the project.
Within the next few weeks, the visitors bureau will finalize the construction plans and begin moving forward with updates.
"When you're coming into Sault Ste. Marie, and see the track at that last exit, it'll make it look so much nicer and more welcoming to the people coming into the community," said Hoath.
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Major planned updates include bringing electricity to the interior of the track, building a new structure on the grounds to replace standing tents and more.
At this year's race, some of the consulting project designers had a chance to see the track full of spectators, and used their observations to make new additions to the plans. Some changes include turning the big hills that spectators stand on into terraces that are safer and easier to walk on.
The race also saw other visitors, including state legislators and dignitaries, who were welcomed at a reception with the visitors bureau. They were presented with the existing plans and many legislators showed their support for the project.
Other big upgrades include paving the road leading into the track, new fencing and building a small bridge connecting the two spectator fields to make it easier and safer to traverse across them.
Over the next year, construction will begin on the track and the visitors bureau will begin fundraising to meet the 20 percent match and build up extra funds for the project budget.
The construction plans are planned to be bid out near the end of February or beginning of March.
— Contact Brendan Wiesner: BWiesner@Sooeveningnews.com
This article originally appeared on The Sault News: I-500 track in Sault to undergo massive renovations before next race
