NY Racetrack Chaplaincy celebrates opening of new Chaplaincy Center

by Eleanor Poppe

With a wide variety of supporters including donors, Thoroughbred racing industry representatives, school, police and elected officials looking on, as well as members of the backstretch community, the New York Race Track Chaplaincy on Friday hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony and opened the doors to its new Chaplaincy Center at Belmont Park in Elmont, NY.

The 3,500-foot multi-purpose building and chapel, designed by Frost Hurff Architects of Saratoga Springs, NY, is located just inside the Gate 6 entrance to Belmont Park on Hempstead Avenue in Elmont, NY.

“The creation and the opening of this facility is something we have worked for and dreamt about for many years and it is absolutely thrilling to see it become a reality,” said Ramón Dominguez, president of the Board of the New York Racetrack Chaplaincy. “It will serve the wide-ranging needs of countless individuals from the backstretch community.”

One individual who will appreciate the new building is Lucy Luna, a member of the backstretch community who not only benefits from the programs of the Chaplaincy but volunteers extensively so that others may benefit as well, stated, “We are all so excited to be able to call this new building home. We can come here and relax, enjoy each other’s company, and feel stronger to meet the next day.”

The chaplaincy ministers to the needs of the backstretch community at the NYRA racetracks (Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park, and Saratoga Race Course) as well as surrounding farms through a wide variety of programs. They include enrichment programs for children, teen mentoring, women’s enrichment, social service and recreational programs, as well as educational opportunities, and non-denominational religious services.

“Our collective joy at the opening of the Chaplaincy Center is matched only by our gratitude,” Dominguez added. “We will be forever grateful to the founding partners, and all of our donors and supporters who have made this possible.”

Besides the chapel, which will also function as a multi-purpose room, the building allows for office space for the chaplaincy staff, and a classroom, named after the late Cot Campbell, that will be used as a learning center.

Plans for the new building and initial financial commitments were first announced in 2018. The official groundbreaking took place in March 2022.

“As a horse owner, I deeply appreciate the dedication and skill of backstretch workers who make horse racing possible,” said Michael Dubb, who provided the building supplies for the project and also purchased the original two trailers which have housed the chaplaincy. “This project has been a work-in-progress for a long time and it is great to finally see it all come together.”

Major funding for the new building was provided by founding partners D.J. Stable, Dogwood Stable, Michael Dubb, John Hendrickson, Kristine and Christopher Kay, Seth A. and Beth S. Klarman, the New York Racing Association, the Estate of Dolores Ochota, OXO Equine, West Point Thoroughbreds, and WinStar Farm.

“We are glad to support the important work of the Chaplaincy in caring for the community of backstretch workers who give so much to the horses and the sport,” the Klarmans said. “It is exciting to see such an essential organization expand its footprint with the opening of the New York Chaplaincy Center and we’re grateful to all who make this work possible.”

The Race Track Chaplaincy of America was organized in 1971 and the New York Race Track Chaplaincy was created in 1986. Norm Evans and Jim Watson served as chaplains before Humberto Chavez was named chaplain in September 2003.

Additional information about the New York Race Track Chaplaincy is available at www.rtcany.org.