"There are over 7,000 people employed by horse racing in the province (Alberta). We're big contributors to the lottery fund. It's taking money away from the province if one of those plants closes down."
The above quote comes courtesy of second-generation Thoroughbred trainer Craig Smith, who was reacting to the recent announcement from Northlands Park officials that the Edmonton track will not host live horse racing after 2016 unless something significant changes between the province and the industry.
As an article by the CBC explains, Smith characterized Northlands’ announcement as a “big blow” to the industry, but he took the opportunity to clarify that the provincial industry is not dying.
"It's a different industry than it has been in the past," Smith said, adding that “it's still a strong industry [with] new people becoming involved. There's a program at Olds College that generates new employees for us every year."
Smith, who spoke with David Gray of the Calgary Eyeopener, has been cited as saying that he fears the news that Northlands is planning to leave the racing game could lead to a disconnect between rural and urban sectors of the province.
"In my mind, it furthers the disconnect between rural and urban Alberta,” he was quoted as saying. “You could go right out your back door, see horse racing, see horses, see horse people and it's definitely concerning and definitely an issue."
(With files from the CBC and the Calgary Eyeopener)