Standardbred racing participants in Goderich have been up in arms since June when the Town voted to not extend a lease of the former Goderich Raceway beyond June 30, 2016.
As a June article by the Goderich Signal Star explains, Town Council cited a myriad of reasons for its decision.
Larry Lane is just one of the many local horsepeople that have spoken out vehemently on the Town’s decision since it was announced.
Lane, who is the secretary and treasurer of the Goderich Trotting Association, voiced his displeasure with the decision – as did others – via letters to editor of the Goderich Signal Star.
Speaking of just some of the positives that the GTA’s presence at the former raceway brings to the Town, Lane said that the organization is a self-sufficient operation that pays an annual lease to the YMCA/Town of Goderich.
“We are responsible for $5 million of liability insurance,” he wrote. “We are responsible for all the maintenance of the buildings, grading and upkeep of the track, snow removal, hydro, water and waste removal. All these responsibilities add up to approximately $20,000, which is paid to the Town of Goderich.”
Lane cited the economic impact that the GTA’s presence at the facility has on the local community. “The cost of feed, bedding, vet medicine, equipment, supplements, trucking and [stakes] payments equals approximately $6,000 per horse, times 20 horses, equals $120,000.”
He then asked, rhetorically, “is $120,000 not a sizeable contribution to our community?”
To read the letters to the editor, click here.
(With files from the Goderich Signal Star)