The remaining horsemen left stabled at St. John's Racing & Entertainment Centre have one month to vacate the premises after a letter from track management was issued to those still at the shuttered Newfoundland facility.
It was announced on New Year's Eve 2015 that the racetrack would not offer live or simulcast wagering for 2016. While the track was rumoured to be redeveloped for kart racing earlier this year, those plans failed to materialize.
On June 20, a letter from track management noted "with the small number of horses and no racing, we can no longer afford the cost to maintain the backstretch and stabling." The letter goes on to request all property to be removed by July 31, 2016. Approximately 16 horses are still on the grounds.
The letter does urge horsemen to contact local members of parliament to maintain and support the province's struggling harness racing industry:
Keith Hutchings - MHA-Ferryland
(709) 729 1390 Fax: (709) 729 5774
Email: [email protected]
Mayor Dennis O’Keefe
(709) 576-8477
Fax: (709) 576-8474
Email: [email protected]
Wally Collins - Councillor - Ward 5
(709) 576-8584
Fax: (709) 576-8474
Email: [email protected]
Seamus O’Regan
MP- St. John’s-Mount Pearl
Telephone: 709-772-4608
Fax: 709-772-4776
Email: [email protected]