Published:
July 3, 2009 02:29 pm EDT
The end is near for the racetrack recently known as Hippodrome Gatineau
.
The trustee overseeing the affairs of Quebec racetrack operator Attractions Hippiques told a Superior Court hearing in Montreal today that the company’s guaranteed lenders had approved a tentative deal to sell the Aylmer track to an unnamed real-estate developer.
Asked if it would stay in operation as a racetrack, Yves Vincent said “no.”
Vincent said two offers for Aylmer were made when Attractions Hippiques put all its assets on the block, and both wanted only the land.
Attractions Hippiques, operator of Quebec’s four racetracks, has been in creditor protection since June of 2008.
(A Trot Insider exclusive by Paul Delean)
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Thank you Quebec government
Thank you Quebec government for ruining the horse industry in Quebec and putting so many people out of work that have only known one thing to do in their lives. At least in the Gatineau region there is Rideau Carleton but the competition from better horses from Montreal to Belleville and north and south of the city will make it impossible for $3000, $4000 and even $5000 claimers to get their horses on track anywhere other than Flamboro or out east.
All there is left is the city of Gatineau to shoot down any more real estate developement so that the owner of the land can sell it to someone who would run the racetrack like it should be run. Unfortunately as anyone in this city knows, Gatineau loves developement of houses over greenspace or properly fixing roads and bridges for traffic so the racetrack is pretty much gone unless there is overwhelming oppositon to the city allowing developement. If a rally is organized i will certainly be there as should everyone who loves harness racing in the Ottawa Valley. Community ownership or even a realestate developer can run the track and build condos as well so long as there's at least 100 parking spaces for Saturday race days. With a park and ride near by there is plenty of parking available as well with really good transit to the Hippodrome within 2 minutes of parking. Trust me, this could work but unless everyone helps the racetrack is as good as dead.
yes indeed its a sad day for
yes indeed its a sad day for hypo aylmer as most regurlar clients prefer to name connaught park. personally been regurlar for over 40 years.have seen so much controversy over the years.that so many are rsponsile for its demise.horse owners, trainers, drivers have had so many inquiries concerning fix taces , doping horses where players my age remembers so well.sorry horsemen i have no sympathy left for you/the honest pnes i feel sad as im sure they are the majority.also atck personnel well u missed the boat
So sad to hear this! So many
So sad to hear this! So many good memories of racing and a lot of good times at Alymer!
Stacey Smith-Robinson
Sad day indeed !
Sad day indeed !
L'hippodrome d'Aylmer(Connaught (1912) aurait célébré son 100è anniversaire en 2012. Personnellement, je me préparais à célébrer cet anniversaire en publiant un recueil de photos et de textes soulignant cet évènement marquant qui coïncidait avec le 50è anniversaire de Rideau Carleton (1962).
Qu'elle grande déception pour tous ces amateurs de courses, pour tous ces gens de chevaux, pour tous ces employé(e)s dont plusieurs cumulent de nombreuses années de service (Les Leblanc, (Jacques, Patsy et Sophie), Diane Dugas, Henri Boucher, Jean Larose, Sylvie Bouchard, Louise Thibault, Richard Proulx, etc...etc.
La ville de Gatineau (secteur Aylmer) vient de perdre son deuxième joyaux en très peu de temps après avoir perdu son église.
André Audette
Felicitation mes amie
Felicitation mes amie d'ATAQ,
bonne decision de refusé l'offre,
maintenant c'est rien pour Aylmer,
j'espere que vous ete fiere de vous memes,..