Demolition of the former Evangeline Downs Racetrack clubhouse in Carencro, LA has begun, with wrecking crews tearing apart the iconic building piece by piece.

Two weeks ago, teams began clearing the 42-acre area around the former clubhouse, demolishing the jockey's quarters with backhoes.

The Carencro track was abandoned in 2005 after Lafayette Parish voters outlawed gambling. Evangeline Downs moved its operations to Opelousas in Saint Landry Parish.

Carroll Castille, owner and developer of the land where the former track sits, said the demolition process on the former clubhouse should last until the end of next week, mainly because of the cleanup process.

The former track sits atop 255 acres of land, which will be sectioned into three developments. The 42 acres where the former clubhouse is will be used for a commercial development.

Castille says another 120 acres will be used for a residential subdivision, and the Evangeline Downs training center, which sits on 93 acres, will be renovated.