Page 18 - January 2009 The Game

u18 The Game, January 2009 Canada’s Thoroughbred Racing Newspaper
pdate
HBPAOntario
www.hbpa.on.ca
HBPA Ontario Administration Office:: 135 Queen’s Plate Drive, Suite 370 Toronto, Ontario, M9W 6V1 • 416-747-5252
End Draws Closer for racing at Fort Erie
Owner cites financial losses
and inability to get provincial assistance
PERRY LEFKO
Fort Erie Racetrack’s string of 111 consecutive years of live horse racing is
in danger of coming to an end.
The track, which opened its gates in 1897, indicated yesterday in a media
release through owner Nordic Gaming Corporation that there is no guarantee of thoroughbred racing next year. The announcement followed a meeting with 190 employees connected with racing.
“While Nordic will pursue every effort to try and nd a way to continue racing in 2009, there are regulatory requirements that the company must comply with, thus these employees were advised that their employment was being terminated, effective March 31, 2009,” Nordic said in a statement. “This decision has been a dif cult one for the company; one which Nordic has delayed for several years.”
Nordic claims to have lost $4 million to $7 million annually for the last four years. A $300 million project unveiled in May 2007 and intended to begin ground-breaking in 2009 has been put on inde nite hold. The plan included commercial/residential development bordering the track and improvements to the backstretch and grandstand.
“We’ve been working on this for a couple of years now and we were hoping the province would make some sort of a commitment prior to this happening,” Fort Erie mayor Doug Martin said. “Obviously, Nordic has
to do what they have to do under the legislation act regarding employee/ employer relationship. ... We will continue to pursue discussions with the (provincial) government to see exactly what they’re going to do. They keep telling us that they want to sit down and talk, but it’s been two years.”
The issue of whether or not the track will continue with slot machines and/or simulcast wagering on racing from other tracks in the new year is uncertain. The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation introduced slots at racetracks in December 1998 to stimulate business, but on the proviso of conducting racing. Track operators and their horsemen receive 10 per cent apiece from slot revenues.
Sue Leslie, president of the Ontario Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, which is the horsemen’s union, said it was “a sad, sad day for thoroughbred horse racing in Ontario and for all those whose livelihood depended on Fort Erie Racetrack.”
The decision impacts on the track’s most prominent race, the Prince of Wales Stakes, the middle jewel of the Canadian Triple Crown since its origin in 1959.
Fort Erie Annual Children’s Christmas Party - November 30
Enjoying their yummy dinner
Peeking at Santa Digging in to a snow cone
Woodbine
Pulling at Santa’s beard
HBPA Trainer and Assistant Trainer Testing Schedule 2009: March 25, 2009 - Woodbine Racetrack
April 22, 2009 - Both Woodbine & Fort Erie Racetracks
May 27, 2009 - Both Woodbine and Fort Erie Racetracks
July 8, 2009 - Both Woodbine and Fort Erie Racetracks September 23, 2009 - Both Woodbine and Fort Erie Racetracks For more information contact the HBPA Backstretch Of ce, 416-675-3802.
VisittheHBPAon-lineatwww.hbpaont.on.ca
Winter Hours for Woodbine HBPA Backstretch Of ce
The Woodbine HBPA backstretch of ce will remain open 7 days a week until December 19, 2008 - Tuesday to Saturday 7am - 3pm; Sunday 7am - 2pm and Monday 8:30am - 1pm.
The of ce will be open from 7am - 3pm on December 22, 23 & 24 and will close for the season at 3pm on December 24.
The of ce will re-open at 7am February 5, 2009
HBPA Trainer and Assistant Trainer Testing Schedule 2009
Applications for Trainer and Assistant Trainer testing will be available at the track of ce in February 2009. All applications must be submitted two weeks prior to the test dates. Only complete applications will be accepted.
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