It has been reported that a press conference has been planned for this week in regard to the plans for the racetrack at the Leamington Fair.

A brief article by the CBC has cited town councillor Rick Atkin as saying that a news conference is planned for Thursday, January 17 at the Leamington Fairgrounds.

The report has quoted Atkin as saying, "If we lose standardbred racing in this community, the actual effect is going to be very dominant on a number of people in the agricultural community. We have horsemen that are going to lose their stock. We have breeding farms that are going to go under. We have people that raise grain that really have a supply of hay and straw for members in the racing industry. So the trickle-down effect is going to be there."

It was reported late last August that plans were in the works to develop a business plan for the half-mile Leamington Fair racetrack to host live harness racing following the closure of Windsor Raceway. As of September, the push had the backing of Leamington Mayor John Paterson. It was later reported in December that the group behind the push is hoping to use $7 million in purse money left in limbo by Windsor Raceway for their plans.

Involved with the 1:00 p.m. press conference are the following individuals:

• Mark Williams – Ontario Harness Horse Association (OHHA)
• Tom Bain - Mayor of Lakeshore and Warden Essex County
• Ruleen Lilley - director of Standardbred Canada and operator of Mac Lilley Farms
• Donald W. Leschied - Lawyer with Miller Canfield
• Charles Lawrence – Accountant and business advisor
• Dr. Paul Branton - Veterinarian with the Ontario Racing Commission Veterinarian
• Tammy Wiper - President of the Leamington Fair Board

Members of the horse racing industry are invited to attend and show support for the project.

For further information on the press conference please contact Dr. Paul Branton at [email protected] or phone 519-816-3393.

(With files from CBC)