National Capital Harness Horse Association board member Gina Hannah has gone on the record as saying that the much-delayed new Quinte Raceway is much further ahead now than what it has ever been
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"We are further ahead now than we have been before, which is good news," she was quoted as saying in an article by The Intelligencer.
She went on to say, "The (NCRHHA) is in regular contact with the project owners as it pertains to the progress of the new racetrack at the Quinte racino. The NCRHHA is fully committed to ensuring the area local horsemen are well represented and by offering any assistance required to further moving the project to reality."
The article explains that at least one of the delays in the whole ordeal has been in regard to some of the grandstand's seating. The Ontario Racing Commission had concerns about the original idea concept of bleacher-style seating which was to be utilized. The report cites ORC CEO John Blakney as saying that his organization is concerned that the customers be provided with the best possible experience. Updated designs are currently in front of the ORC for approval.
"We are still remaining positive," Belleville Agricultural Society president Marilynne Cotten was quoted as saying. "They've gone through all the hoops and hurdles with the OLG and are now dealing with the Ontario Racing Commission and, from what I've heard, they are very happy with the design now and are confident with the racing experience people are now going to get."
(With files from The Intelligencer)
Don't know enough about
Don't know enough about what's been going on, but I do know that there are a lot of horsemen that used Quinte. I remember the old track, and it was a fun day at the races. The people were nice, not like some of the tracks that you go to now, still had that "at home" feeling. I hope that racing returns to Belleville soon, and doen't lose a step of that "at home" feeling. I say soon because there's always a point where any business, after leaving the scene for any length of time loses it's customers, while the horsemen wait, will there be betting public to keep the purses/racing alive?
I'm with norm on his first
I'm with norm on his first point I got into the game working for somone but got my first horse to make the hike down to bellville every friday to race for 1300 it was fun and we were all excited to hear they were building a new track and then the first time it was deleyed it was anounced that they would race one more year and we were all happy but then it neaver happend and most have since departed from the game and if they don't race before 2013 I will have moved on as well I think wich begs the question norm also asked why did they not continue racing untill the new track was built we should have ended in the fall at the old track and begain in the spring at the new track simple as that
But the fact remains there
But the fact remains there is STILL no racing in Bellville and would be at least 2013 before there would even be a shot of racing. Local horsemen were still entering thier horses racing for $1000, why was racing cancelled before the new track was built? Has perhaps renovating and relocating to the old Kingston Park Raceway ever looked at as an alternative option?