It has been public knowledge that racetrack operator Jeff Gural is looking for financing to back the re-invigoration of the standardbred horse racing industry
in the state of New Jersey. It has now been announced how much Gural is looking for.
According to a release Monday, February 14 by the Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association of New Jersey, the project to build a new grandstand at the Meadowlands is likely to run around $70 million.
Add in the construction of Off Track Wagering facilities and working capital and expenses for 2011 and the total number is around $100 million, according to Gural, who is leading the group putting together the package to lease and redevelop the Meadowlands.
On Friday, February 11, Gural and the SBOANJ unveiled the artist renderings of what could be the new Meadowlands. To view the renderings, click here.
(With files from the SBOANJ)
Richard Lavigne it seems
Richard Lavigne it seems like you do not follow New Jersey racing which happens to be the Mecca of standarbred racing in North America. The state does not care about harness racing or racing in New Jersey. Moreover, they were ready to shut it down in December of 2010 as Governor Christie has aligned himself with the casino interests in Atlantic City. Mr. Gural a private racetrack operator, breeder and owner is the only one who stepped up to the plate to save the Meadowlands. State governments that are running budget deficits do not care about horse racing or want to subsidize it in any manner. To compare what happened in New Jersey in 1972 with today's economic and political reality in the state is like having you're head in the sand. Private enterprise under Jeff Gural is what saved the Meadowlands not the state of New Jersey. Please keep to current events it's 2011 not 1972.
New jersey government saved
New jersey government saved the industry with the Meadowlands since 1972. When you have a commercial operator, it is not the same.
In 1972, the New York horsemen had a publicity in the Harness Horse' Whose's Bread you eat, Whose's song you sing.
Why America is not copying the french program, his structure, mission etc..?
In America, what will happen when the government of any states will cut in half the video money to pay for the health insurance, the immigrants, the war, the 13 trillion of debts ?
Private enterprise, they are the breeders, the horse owners, that's their business.