As a third-generation participant in harness racing, Woodbine's Mark McKelvie is living the dream in his role as manager of communications and content at Woodbine Mohawk Park and sees tremendous potential for the harness racing industry going forward.
McKelvie, whose family involvement in harness racing goes back multiple generations, related to COSA TV in a recent one-on-one that the Standardbred sport runs deep in his veins.
"My mom's father raced horses. He had a farm in Dresden; he raced horses from London to Windsor and everywhere in between," McKelvie related. "On the other side of my family, my grandfather on my dad's side was involved in running the racetrack in Owen Sound in the '60s and '70s, and then owned horses for a long time as well."
McKelvie practically grew up at Woodbine Mohawk Park, where both his parents have worked for decades. With his mother, Lori, serving as the Standardbred Canada field representative at Woodbine and Mohawk since the 1980s and his father, Scott, holding the role of Standardbred race secretary since 1993.
"The memories that stick out the most are when racing moved to Mohawk in the summertime in the mid-2000s. I was getting old enough to decide what I wanted to do — I didn't have to tag along with my parents to work or be at home — I was still making that decision that I wanted to come to the racetrack. From there, the bug stuck with me. I was fascinated by all aspects of the industry."
Six years ago, McKelvie found his way into the communications department at Woodbine Entertainment. In that time, he has collected a vast range of responsibilities, stretching from occasional race calling to managing public relations and social media.
"I've seen, from where I've started to where I am now, a lot of growth personally and a lot of growth with this company and where we're trying to take racing."
Off the racetrack, McKelvie is realizing a childhood dream of many a Canadian broadcaster: calling high-level hockey on a grand stage. He is in the midst of his fifth season as part of the broadcast team with the Owen Sound Attack of the Ontario Hockey League.
"I personally think I have the best of both worlds being able to work in harness racing and hockey," he said.
In conclusion, McKelvie stresses the need for harness racing to be self-critical and to maintain a high standard in its presentation in order to attract a new customer base.
"I think there's a big opportunity in harness racing to gain younger fans," remarked McKelvie. "I think the future is bright, but we have to be willing to change and take things from other industries."