Demolition has started on the former Tucson Greyhound Park, which will become a youth soccer academy.
The racetrack opened in 1944 in South Tucson, near South Fourth Avenue and East 36th Street. It held dog racing there until 2016.
Workers with RCD Demolition on Friday continue to tear down the former Tucson Greyhound Park in South Tucson.
It then operated as an off-track betting site before it closed for good in the summer of 2022.
Photos: Greyhound racing in Tucson through the years
Last night of live racing at Tucson Greyhound Park
A greyhound hits full airborne stride as it races down the frontstretch.
Last night of live racing at Tucson Greyhound Park
Track workers present the greyhounds for last inspection before loading them into the gates for a race.
Last night of live racing at Tucson Greyhound Park
Track workers present the greyhounds for last inspection before loading them into the gates for a race as spectators size up the field.
Last night of live racing at Tucson Greyhound Park
The sky glows a multitude of hues on the last day of live racing.
Last night of live racing at Tucson Greyhound Park
Greyhounds tear down the frontstretch on the last day of live racing.
Last night of live racing at Tucson Greyhound Park
Alicia Heiserer, track controller, and Eric Baugher, simulcast operator, admire a cell phone picture of the weather atop the roof of Tucson Greyhound Park.
Last night of live racing at Tucson Greyhound Park
Greyhounds take off out of the gates on the last day of live racing.
Last night of live racing at Tucson Greyhound Park
A greyhound breaks through the spotlight of the finish line on the last day of live racing.
Last night of live racing at Tucson Greyhound Park
Track workers bring out the greyhounds for a race on the last day of live racing.
Last night of live racing at Tucson Greyhound Park
Greyhounds tear down the frontstretch on the last day of live racing.
Greyhound racing in Tucson
Tucson Greyhound Park, ca. 1950s.
Greyhound racing in Tucson
Tucson Greyhound Park, ca. 1950s.
Greyhound racing in Tucson
Trainers walk their dogs around the track at Tucson Greyhound Park in 1980.
Greyhound racing in Tucson
Handlers with dogs before a race at Tucson Greyhound Park in 1990.
Greyhound racing in Tucson
Robert Fickett checks the weight of one of his 30 racing dogs while helper Mary Montono records the information at the Fickett's 40-acre farm north of Tucson in 1983.
Greyhound racing in Tucson
Robert and Michele Fickett's 200-foot running pens for their greyhounds in Tucson in 1983. The Fickett's owned 150 greyhounds pups raised to racing dogs.
Greyhound racing in Tucson
Michele Fickett gives greyhounds shots and looks after their general health at the Fickett's 40-acre farm north of Tucson in 1983.
Greyhound racing in Tucson
Greyound racing dogs under the care of Robert and Michele Fickett have breakfast in air-conditioned cages in 1983.
Greyhound racing in Tucson
An injured greyhound racing dog recuperates under the a sign of a sprinting dog on the farm owned by Robert and Michele Fickett in 1983.
Greyhound racing in Tucson
Robert Fickett takes some of his greyhounds for a morning run on the family's 40-acre farm north of Tucson in 1983.
Greyhound racing in Tucson
Greyhound racing dogs during a weigh-in at Tucson Greyhound Park in 1982.
Greyhound racing in Tucson
Annamarie Padilla mans the betting counter at Jeff's Pub at Tucson Greyhound Park in 2006. The off track betting feed from Tucson Greyhound Park had been blacked out by its provider, Paradise Turf because of contract expiration.
Greyhound racing in Tucson
A dark brindle female greyhound Khaki Katie, 3, is shown to the crowd before racing in the first race, Grade D, at Tucson Greyhound Park in 2006.
Greyhound racing in Tucson
Greyhounds run in a Grade D race at Tucson Greyhound Park in 2006. The slowest grade of dog race - and one step away from the end of a racing career - Grade D races feature greyhounds that aren't quick enough to win faster races.
Greyhound racing in Tucson
People sit inside and outside to watch the greyhound racing at Tucson Greyhound Park in 2006.
Greyhound racing in Tucson
Juan Rocha, center left, Julien Ruiz, center right, and veterinarian Betty Menke, right, check greyhounds before a race at Tucson Greyhound Park in 2006.
Greyhound racing in Tucson
With muzzles off greyhound dogs wait for their food in their cages at the Tucson Greyhound Park. The park had an adoption drive to try and find homes for 200 retired greyhounds in 2007.
Greyhound racing in Tucson
Michelle Swift, an assistant trainer, at Tucson Greyhound Park, brings the dogs back into their cages after they have an opportunity to go outside in 2007.
Greyhound racing in Tucson
A fire at Tucson Greyhound Park in May 1949 caused $100,000 damage. From "Jack Sheaffer's Tucson 1945-1965."
Greyhound racing in Tucson
South Tucson firefighters ascend a ladder to assess the fire situation on the tower at Tucson Greyhound Park in 2009.
Greyhound racing in Tucson
South Tucson firefighters battle a blaze in the tower at Tucson Greyhound Park in 2009.
Greyhound racing in Tucson
Workers at Tucson Greyhound Park hurry to finish the clubhouse painting work and seat installations on the park's new $700,000 starting box before the opening race that night on Dec. 29, 1983.
Greyhound racing in Tucson
Manny Serrato keeps an eye on the odds and the tracks at the Tucson Greyhound Park in 1999 where off track betting is a yearround deal.
Greyhound racing in Tucson
"Greyhound athletes," as they are called at Tucson Greyhound Park, compete for an inside position on the straight during training runs at the track in 2003.
Greyhound racing in Tucson
A group of greyhounds run around the track at Tucson Greyhound Park as customers place bets on the race in 2003.
Greyhound racing in Tucson
Tags, which are used to identify the dog and the race they are in, hand on the wall at the Tucson Greyhound Park in 2011.
Greyhound racing in Tucson
Donna Mann pets Mystic Rhythms, a racing greyhound, at the Tucson Greyhound Park in 2011.
Greyhound racing in Tucson
Donna Mann, a kennel owner, pets Kotote Rita, a racing greyhound, at the Tucson Greyhound Park in 2011.
Greyhound racing in Tucson
Hector Garcia, right, scale clerk and kennel master at the Tucson Greyhound Park, weighs in dogs before the races on a Saturday night in 2000. On Saturday 128 dogs raced.
Greyhound racing in Tucson
Greyhounds break out of the starting box on Saturday night at the Tucson Greyhound Park in 2000.
Greyhound racing in Tucson
Tucson Greyhound Park, shown in 2004, sits in the heart of the city of South Tucson. The city was incorporated in 1940.
Greyhound racing in Tucson
Local greyhound adoption groups are looking for foster volunteers to help transition former racers into pets.
The vacant site quickly fell into disrepair and was often vandalized and damaged by fire.
An affiliate of the professional German soccer league team Borussia Dortmund leased the 16-acre site at 2601 S. Third Avenue.
BVB International Academy Arizona, which has been operating its training academy for young soccer players at the Kino Sports Complex, will now have its own facilities there.
People are also reading…
“Borussia Dortmund’s acquisition of the property marks a significant investment in the future of the area, with details on the planned redevelopment expected to be released later this year,” South Tucson said in a news release. “The removal of the long-vacant structures at Tucson Greyhound Park will make way for a new chapter at this historic site.”
The glow of Tucson Greyhound Park diminished from its heyday in the 1950s to being a fire-damaged vacant property since its closure in 2022. The site will now be home to a youth soccer academy.
