Horse Track, Casino For Kimball?

A joint meeting of Mayor Keith Prunty, the Kimball City Council and Kimball County Commissioners was scheduled to hear a presentation from developer Canterbury Park Holdings for a proposed Resort Hotel and Casino Development.

The development would include horse racing, an event center, restaurants and fueling stations. The proposed site is dscribed as Section 33, Township 15, Range 55W, which includes the city of Kimball.

The proposed site of the development, bordering the Highway 71 bypass and Interstate 80, is owned by Nancy A. Nielsen Young and has a pivot located on it.

The joint meeting, scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday, included discussion, possible letters of support, and discussion of approval of the economic development project by Canterbury Park Holdings.

According to Observer research, Canterbury Park is a horse racing track in Shakopee, Minnesota. Canterbury Park is owned by Canterbury Park Holding Corp. The track runs thoroughbred horses in addition to other types of casino gaming.

In November 2020, Nebraska voters approved Initiative Measure 429, which amended the Nebraska Constitution to allow laws that authorize, regulate and tax gambling facilities in the state. Voters approved the initiative 65% to 34%.

Any racetrack must be approved of by the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission. Other cities that have proposals to construct racetracks include Gering, Bellevue, Norfolk, North Platte and York.