The Executive Director of the New Brunswick Provincial Exhibition has issued a statement offering his side of the story concerning the ongoing struggles with Horse Racing New Brunswick and Fredericton Raceway.
Mike Vokey, Executive Director for the New Brunswick Provincial Exhibition, offered Trot Insider a statement late Tuesday. Earlier that day, Horse Racing New Brunswick stated that the Fredericton Exhibition had disconnected water service for barn, track, and horse safety, jeopardizing the July 1 card of harness racing. Water service was restored later that day.
The statement is as follows:
Simply to answer the question do we want harness racing to continue in Fredericton, the answer is yes. This is why the Fredericton Exhibition had to try to convince HRNB to honour their lease agreement and race a full season in Fredericton. Three races is not a full season and this is the important issue. The big question, why run only three races in Fredericton, and where is the revenue generated at Winners Lounge going if not to run racing at the Fredericton Raceway? The funds are supposed to go to operate harness racing and promote and develop the industry. Unfortunately HRNB is three years behind in producing financial statements and people on the outside have no idea where the revenue is going. The lack of racing and the lack of current financial statements are just two of the conditions that the tenant has breached in the lease agreement.
As for the water issue, last week I asked Kathy MacLean, the president of HRNB to meet with me to resolve the issue. She informed me that she was advised by her lawyers not to, and to communicate by email. This of course has slowed down and complicated finding a resolution. I want to be clear that this in not water consumed or needed in the barns for the care and wellbeing of the horses. I understand the so called gentlemen’s agreement in place but from our perspective that actions of HRNB going back to the beginning of the year have not been gentlemanly. Unfortunately without meeting in person and given the past financial history we had to work on our own to identify the meter in question and confirm the use and that the account is current. After hearing back from the city water department and meeting with our barn manager, we have decided to turn the water on for their use. This process could certainly been smoother and quicker with better communication.
In response to the $72,000 paid by HRNB, close to half of that is property tax which goes directly to the province. Given the history we had to write into the lease that the taxes be paid when due. The balance was to enforce that some, even a small amount be invested by the tenant to look after the condition of the property and facilities. Currently the buildings and grounds are not at the condition they were when the facility was provided to HRNB seven years ago. This is not acceptable and the exhibition board has the responsibility to ensure the land and building as are cared for. The amount may seem to be standard or even high but keep in mind there is only $1 rent and the property and building occupy close to 20 acres.
The exhibition board is dealing with a complicated and very unfortunate situation with HRNB and we are trying to keep the relationship professional. We have not been discussing details of the lease agreements but I will answer to the specific statements from HRNB.
Mike Vokey,
Executive Director
New Brunswick Provincial Exhibition