Only One Track In Balzac?
According to a report, the United Horseman of Alberta, which has recently gotten out from underneath of Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act court protection, has scaled down the plans for its proposed Balzac raceway
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An article by The Calgary Sun cites UHA President Darcy Marler as saying that the original plan, which was estimated to be in the range of $220 million, has been scaled back, and that the plans now calls for just one track instead of the initially-proposed two.
The article does not clarify what effect the one-track plan will have on the racing product that will be presented at the Balzac facility.
The report also quotes Marler as saying that the UHA is interested in partnering with casino and hotel groups, which was also announced earlier via a UHA release.
“The reality is our main asset is the fact that we have a grandfathered AGLC (Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission) licence and a location that has no competitive casinos and we are very confident we can get it done,” Marler was quoted as saying in The Calgary Sun article.
AGLC spokeswoman Lynn Hutchings-Mah said while the UHA does have a licence, it only applies to slot machines and not gambling tables so the group would likely have to apply for a new licence.
“If they wanted to change that licence to be a full casino, that could be considered a new application,” she said, noting casino licences in Alberta have all been put on hold while the AGLC does a province-wide review.
Also, Global Calgary has posed a poll on its website which asks, 'Do you think the Calgary area needs a horse racing track?' The poll has been receiving many comments.
Click here to vote on the poll and view the comments.
(With files from The Calgary Sun)
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