WATCH: Churchill Downs places final steel beam for massive Paddock transformation project
Churchill Downs is another step closer to opening its new Paddock for the 150th Kentucky Derby.
The new $200 million structure was a complete overhaul of the area, and officials say it will transform the horse racing experience for guests.
Churchill held a "Topping Off Ceremony" on Wednesday to place the final structural steel beam on the Paddock redesign.
Watch the final steel beam being put into place below:
Mayor Craig Greenberg and Sen. Julie Raque Adams were among the officials and Churchill Downs leaders who left their signatures on the beam before it was lifted high above the track.
Back in 1912, what's known as the "heartbeat" of the racetrack was only a wooden structure. The Paddock has evolved over the years, all the while preserving its rich Kentucky horse racing history.
Officials with the racetrack say the new Paddock will give fans a never-before-seen view of the Twin Spires and more than double the guest space, increasing Paddock capacity from 1,000 to 2,400 people.
It will also build new club space with behind-the-scenes equine experiences and premium seating with unprecedented views.
In all, the Paddock project will create 3,612 premium reserved seats ranging in price and experience levels, as well as 3,250 brand-new, standing-room-only tickets.
See renderings of the Paddock below:
"The Paddock redesign will enhance the guest experience for every single person who walks through the gates and may be one of our most transformative projects of all time," Churchill Downs president Mike Anderson said. "We consider this Paddock project a gift to the community and our fans as we approach the 150th Kentucky Derby next year."
President of Calhoun Construction, John Hinshaw, said the entire redesign is expected to be finished by April and will be unveiled to the public ahead of Derby Week.
"It is going to be a tight finish, but we're right where we thought we would be on schedule," Hinshaw said. "That doesn't mean it's an easy walk in the park from here to the finish line. There's a lot, as you can see out here, there's a lot to be done."
Wednesday's "Topping Off" celebration comes just one day before Churchill kicks off its September Meet, marking the first races back at the track since it shut down in the spring following 12 horse deaths.
The September Meet runs from Sept. 14 through Oct. 1.