The Town of Fort Erie has transferred $500,000 to the operators of live racing at the Fort Erie Race Track. A report states that some local politicians are upset that the Town still had to transfer the funds to the operator even though the Province of Ontario stepped in at the last minute earlier this year and pledged a $5 million grant to the track.

The story comes courtesy of an article by Niagara This Week which explains that some area politicians are upset that the half-million dollars will be used by the Fort Erie Live Racing Consortium to cover operating costs instead of paying rent.

The report also states that other politicians are upset that the Town has had to devote $500,000 to the track operators even though an agreement with the province was ultimately worked out.

“While the FELRC and all the staff and horsepeople at the Fort Erie Race Track greatly appreciates the unique and very important financial contribution from the Town of Fort Erie, the commitment was not defined for any specific operation other than to the bottom line,” FELRC CEO Jim Thibert was quoted as saying. “Without this $500,000 grant, the Fort Erie Race Track would simply not be in operation.”

(With files from Niagara This Week)