It has been confirmed that live racing at Fraserville, Ont.'s Kawartha Downs, near Peterborough, will cease in 2013 if some sort of financial agreement is not reached.
The story comes courtesy of the Peterborough Examiner, which has quoted Ontario Harness Horse Association Representative Dave Gibson as saying track management conveyed the news to horsemen in recent weeks.
“I had a meeting a few weeks ago with the management of Kawartha Downs who were told by owner Skip Ambrose that unless there is funding for the race track there will be no racing,” Gibson was quoted as saying.
Gibson also asked the same rhetorical question the rest of the provincial horse-racing industry has been asking. “Where does it benefit the province of Ontario if hundreds of millions of dollars leave the province?”
Gibson's words are in regard to the potential of the Ontario Liberal Government funneling massive portions of casino revenues south of the border to foreign gaming operators --- a move which could very well become reality under the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp.'s highly controversial gaming modernization plan.
The OHHA rep also pointed out the obvious: that many municipalities do not want any part of expanded casino gaming within their jurisdictions. “Maybe there will be enough pushback and the government will realize we’re (the Province of Ontario is) better off with what we’ve got (the slots-at-racetracks program).”
Gibson also blasted the Ontario Liberals' $50 million 'transitional funding' announcement, which was made Thursday (June 7). “And the number of people employed in the industry," he said, "you may as well just hand everybody a $100 bill."
Trot Insider received confirmation on the news Friday afternoon from Trevor McCagherty, speaking on behalf of Kawartha Downs owner Harvey 'Skip' Ambrose.
McCagherty, the president of Backstreet Consultants, Inc., confirmed that without an alternative funding plan in place beyond March 31, 2013, the track will be forced to shut down the live-racing aspect of its business.
(With files from the Peterborough Examiner)
I will miss any tracks that
I will miss any tracks that close. Yearly I trek into Canada from the US and visit the tracks from Windsor to those north of Toronto. What irritates me is this looming demise in Ontario racing is a chosen path by disingenuous politicians who feel getting reelected to be more important than an entire industry. Bad for Ontario and bad for Canada.
Tim Hudak is quoted In the
Tim Hudak is quoted In the Peterborough Examiner Saturday June 9th, as saying Friday June 8th; he supports the current arrangement that shares slot-machine gambling revenue with the horseracing industry. If the horse racing industry can get him to say he will reinstate such when he gets in power that will be a very strong and supportive position. What company is going to invest millions of dollars in a Casino, under this threat? Hudak forming the next government is a very real prospect. These investor realize it could even happen sooner with the current government needing support to stay in power. The Liberal plan would then be at a standstill.
It is obvious that you need to get yourselves organized. The various groups need to pull together as one. There are a great many of good ideas coming from the horsepersons with no apparent leader of all groups in place. A divided group is easier to defeat than a cohesive well organized group.
Graham McMillen
Retired Horseman
Thats three tracks and 3600
Thats three tracks and 3600 jobs lost and counting. The doomsday clock ticks on - who is next?
The Queen's Park Liberals
The Queen's Park Liberals announced they have established a board of CEO's to find out why industry and the jobs are fleeing Ontario. Someone suggested that they should review their policies and stand in front of a mirror. It was directed at Dwight Duncan.sincerely Bruce T Winning
Mcguinty will try to win an
Mcguinty will try to win an outright majority in the upcoming Kitchener bye election. With Windsor, KD and Fort Erie going under and more to follow it is imperative that horsemen organize an "Occupy Kitchener" demonstration to block the Grit Majority. Don't forget, McGuinty offered up Kitchener as a potential OLG gaming site and this would have meant the end for Grand River. Start taking hold of the bit.
Glen Hamilton
In the story in today's
In the story in today's Peterborough Examiner they said that 500 million in transitional money was pledged,that was a missprint.I have talked to them and a correction will be in tomorrows paper.
I am a harness racing fan and
I am a harness racing fan and want to support efforts to save the industry.
Are there any vehicle bumper stickers or window posters available which say
'MY ONTARIO INCLUDES HARNESS RACING' ? These should be made available for the racing fan to obtain at each track right beside the sales counter for the race program. A fee could be charged to cover the costs.
In reply to I am a harness racing fan and by R McCutcheon
Rae, They did have some
Rae, They did have some vehicle signage available at some tracks. I know they had them at Kawartha Downs. I want to thank you for your thoughts and assistance.
Hey Chuck, I don't think the
Hey Chuck, I don't think the Liberals care.
The only thing going through a politicians mind is "what do I do to get re-elected".
Everything else is thrown under the bus.
I'll miss KD……
Mr. Duncan stated in the
Mr. Duncan stated in the Legislature that there will be horse racing in Ontario. Unfortunately he will see when no tracks apply for race dates in October.....there will be no racing. This is not an alarmist statement, just fact. He and McGuinty will then see they have in fact destroyed a complete industry in Ontario.
Chuck Ibey