As fears mount over the future of harness racing in British Columbia, there is one shining light: Fraser Downs makes money
.
According to a report in Wednesday's Surrey Leader, both owner Great Canadian Gaming Corporation and the City of Surrey receive solid financial support from Fraser Downs.
GCGC vice-president Howard Blank told the Surrey Leader that "the Cloverdale operation makes a profit, although revenues have declined significantly."
And while Blank denied the company is looking at racing both breeds at one track, a spokesperson for Rich Coleman, the minister responsible for gaming, confirmed on Tuesday that the government-appointed committee is examining such a proposal to stabilize racing.
Other people in BC have different ideas to help the province's racing industry. One person speaking out is horseman Wayne Isbister, whose letter to the editor of The Now Newspaper was published on Tuesday.
"Last year we tried racing at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday nights - what chance did we have against the Canucks? Give us back Saturday afternoons so people can come at a reasonable time.
"Secondly, give us a marketing budget that horse racing deserves. When was the last time you saw an ad on TV for Fraser Downs? How many people in the Surrey area know when live racing is taking place at Fraser Downs? Hastings Park runs ads on CKNW and Global. Fraser Downs gets AM730, the lowest-rated radio station in the Vancouver area."