Harrisburg, PA — The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono hopes to break ground in early November for a receiving barn that is necessary given this year’s phase-out of the track’s aging barn area.

Dale Rapson, vice president of racing at Pocono, provided the Pennsylvania Horse Racing Commission with an update at its Oct. 29 meeting. The PHRC in late April signed off on the plan, which stemmed from ongoing concerns by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection over stable-area runoff into Mill Creek along with the fact only 17 percent of starters at the track are stabled there.

The barn area, only half of which was occupied this year, and training track are being removed.

The receiving barn will have 40-50 stalls. The Pocono paddock, built as part of the legislation that authorized racetrack gaming in the state, can accommodate 125 horses.

The plan is to have the new barn ready by Feb. 1, 2020, Rapson said. Horses would be able to ship in and train on the main five-eighths-mile track.

It was noted in April that there are number of training facilities and a few fairs with barns areas in northeastern Pennsylvania. A survey indicated there were stall vacancies at area farms.

Earlier talks between Pocono and the Pennsylvania Harness Horsemen’s Association resulted in an agreement to alter the live racing schedule in 2020. The PHRC usually approves racing dates in November, but Rapson told the commission it’s likely the meet would begin Feb. 8 — about five weeks earlier than usual — and extend through the first week of November.

Pocono for 2019 was approved for 134 racing programs from March 16-Nov. 16.