Standardbred Canada Requests Support For The Raceway At Western Fair District
During the past year Standardbred Canada has been a vocal supporter of Ontario’s Long Term Funding Agreement in this province.
The recent announcement concerning Gateway Casino moving from The Raceway at Western Fair District is problematic and concerning on many fronts.
The announcement has once again raised questions on the security and future of the over 125 race dates scheduled at Western Fair, a designated Signature racetrack in Ontario.
The Raceway at Western Fair District ranks number two in Canada for generating Standardbred racing handle, second only to Woodbine Mohawk Park.
Western Fair is one of the few racetracks offering winter racing, and potentially year-round dates for participants, both locally and from around the province.
Standardbred Canada wishes to emphasize that continued racing at Western Fair is of paramount importance to the sport on a national level, and encourages all stakeholders to work towards a long-term plan in the immediate future that supports and includes The Raceway at Western Fair District.
I am not sure if I am correct
I am not sure if I am correct on this, but don't the owners of a gambling facility have to get a provincial license to operate? If so, then the government can set the terms on the casino. That will solve the problem. Have reduced dates for gambling and also reduced prizes. It would not be the first time governments have regulated a business --- not the last.
I can't imagine Ontario
I can't imagine Ontario allowing this to happen but understand that the danger is real.
Western Fair has a personality all its own and is by far my favorite track to wager on and watch the races. Announcer Shannon Doyle is a gem and the staff in general are friendly, engaging people. They present a public relations model that all others racetracks should follow. To see it all go away would be nothing short of criminal.
In reply to I can't imagine Ontario by spang99
You can't ask the gov to
You can't ask the gov to cover it when the city council and western fair board wouldn't give an inch and/or wanted too much money for that site. I don't know why a good racetrack can't be built on the city limits instead of downtown, and now the whole western fair is ruined as well.