As previously reported, Saskatchewan's West Meadows Raceway did not get live race dates for 2010. President Jane Grainger provided Trot Insider with an update on her meeting with the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority
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Grainger's letter appears below.
West Meadows Raceway met with SLGA executives in Regina on Friday. Although we did not receive the racedays we were hoping for in 2010, they are pleased with our progress thus far and see the positive side of racing coming to Regina to the racetrack we have built. SLGA said it was a very difficult decision for them and they recognized our commitment to the long term future of harness racing. The two requirements that held us up for this year are the outside rail and a few partitions in the officials area on the second level of the mutuels building, both which will be done by May of this year.
SLGA also confirmed that West Meadows Raceway will be included in the consultation process being held this summer which will involve all stakeholders in the horse racing industry, Standardbred and Thoroughbred. WMR is a place that adds stability and promotes growth of the sport here in Saskatchewan and deserves to be a part of the plan for 2011. Regina, Saskatchewan's capital, has the second largest population base and growing the wager here will significantly enhance the future of harness racing. Thanks to the efforts of the Saskatchewan Standardbred Horsemen's Association (SSHA) working with SLGA and racetrack operators over the past years, the industry has made great strides in securing its future in the province. SLGA executives confirmed they too are committed to making it work.
WMR held their AGM on Saturday and even with the announcement of no race days this year, I am proud of what the shareholders had to say. We must keep moving forward with this project. We have come too far to give up now.