With the scheduled Fraser Downs harness racing meet six weeks away, the reopening date for the backstretch remains unconfirmed as racetrack operator Great Canadian Gaming Corp. continues work on addressing a longtime rodent infestation at the Surrey, B.C. training and racing facility.
Great Canadian's plans for a full, temporary closure of the Fraser Downs backstretch to address the rodent infestation at the conclusion of the winter/spring harness racing meet in May proceeded after a legal dispute with the provincial horsemen's group, Harness Racing British Columbia Society (HRBC).
Following a judgement issued by the Supreme Court of British Columbia in favour of Great Canadian on May 30, members of HRBC were required to vacate their horses and possessions from the Fraser Downs backstretch for the rodent abatement program to begin.
According to the judgement, the pest control company that Great Canadian has been working with for several years recommended that "the barns be entirely emptied of rodent attractants and shelters, and that treatment, including with rodenticides and carbon monoxide, proceed for 60 to 90 days, representing two to three rat breeding cycles." The pest control company advised that "it is possible that 60 days will be sufficient, but if not, then another 30-day breeding cycle may also need to be completed."
"Subsequent to Justice Mazari’s orders, we commenced our rodent abatement program after HRBC’s members had vacated the backstretch at Fraser Downs," Chuck Keeling Executive Vice President, External Relations and Business Development of Great Canadian Entertainment told Trot Insider. "Since then, we have undertaken significant work as part of that program, and that work continues. We remain in regular contact with the leadership of HRBC regarding the work. We do not have a reopening date at this time."
HRBC, a non-profit which represents all trainers, drivers, owners, breeders and grooms for Standardbred racing in the province, had cited concerns with the length of the closure cutting directly into training for the fall racing season that runs from September through December with the racetrack being the only proper training facility in the province.
"They've shown some pictures on the screen of the work they've done in the barns and that looked good," said Kelly MacMillan, President of the HRBC, following its latest meeting with Great Canadian on Tuesday, July 22. "But they're not willing to commit to return dates or anything at this point. They say they're still shooting for them."
From MacMillan's understanding, as of the July 22 meeting, they are aiming for a backstretch reopening date of Aug. 20 and a racing start date of Sept. 4, but are not able to commit to those dates.
"They're putting out new stall applications and they're wanting a new contract agreement, which is something I've been pushing for for years, but we don't even have the first copy of that at this point."
The original schedule for the fall meet lists race days every Thursday and Friday at 7 p.m. (PT) from Sept. 4 to Dec. 26, with the exception of Sept. 5 and Dec. 25.
(Standardbred Canada)