1 Prairie Meadows Dr
Altoona, IA 50009
(515) 967-1000
Prairie Meadows is a Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racetrack casino located in Altoona, Iowa, United States.History and informationIn 1984, Prairie Meadows received a license from the Iowa Racing and Gaming commission to operate a horse racing facility after parimutuel betting was legalized by the state the previous year. In 1987, groundbreaking ceremonies were held for Prairie Meadows.Prairie Meadows conducted its first day of racing on March 1, 1989. However, the track lost money during its first few years of operation and filed for bankruptcy in November 1991. Live racing was suspended for the 1992 season before revenues from off-track betting allowed racing to resume the following year.On May 17, 1994, Polk County voters approved a referendum allowing the installation of slot machines at Prairie Meadows. On April 1, 1995, the slot machine casino opened at Prairie Meadows, and by the end of 1996, Prairie Meadows was able to pay off the bonds that were issued by the Polk County Board of Supervisors.On December 14, 2004, Prairie Meadows added casino game tables after receiving state approval to do so. As a result of the high demand for these tables, the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission approved Prairie Meadows' plans to expand its facility on January 25, 2005. Construction on the $60 million expansion began in September 2005. An addition to the casino opened in August 2006, while two new restaurants and a 1,200-seat concert hall known as "The Meadows" opened in February 2007.
Season Passes are available April 1st to Memorial Day at the Altoona Campus. After June 3rd passes are available for purchase at the Aquatics Park. 2014 Park Fees: Resident Day Pass $5.50 Non Resident Day Pass $6.75 Resident Season Passes Individual $80 2 Person $110 Each Additional Dependent $20 Nanny Pass $40 Non Resident Season Passes Individual $115 2 Person $150 Each Additional Dependent $25 Nanny Pass $40 Punch Cards: Resident (12 punches) $55 Non Resident (12 punches) $70 Know someone with a summer birthday?! Host it at the Aquatics Park! Contact the concession stand at 967-2669 for details or e-mail [email protected] prior to opening day.