Harness Racing British Columbia (HRBC) is calling on supporters of the harness racing industry to attend a public rally on Thursday, Sept. 4 following the sudden closure of Fraser Downs in Surrey, B.C.
In an effort to stand up for families, workers, small businesses and the future of harness racing in B.C., HRBC has planned a public rally for Thursday, Sept. 4 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Agriplex Parking Lot at Cloverdale Fairgrounds (with walkover 176th to 60th Avenue to Greenaway Park).
"The sudden and unjustified closure of harness racing by the City of Surrey at Fraser Downs has devastated our community," stated Kelly MacMillan, President, Harness Racing B.C., in a notice announcing the rally. "This decision was made without proper notice or consultation with horsemen — displacing families, shuttering livelihoods and putting our horses at risk.
"Even more troubling: While Great Canadian Casino, operated by U.S.-based Apollo Global Management, continues to profit from gaming operations on-site, live racing has been terminated — in direct contradiction to the commitments made to British Columbians. Track infrastructure is being dismantled now — before any redevelopment plans have even been approved by the City Council. This is a betrayal.
"We are calling on all supporters and Surrey citizens who care about transparency, fairness and local jobs to join us. Stand with us to demand: an immediate halt to track dismantling; accountability from Mayor Locke and City of Surrey decision-makers; protection for horses, workers and B.C.’s rich racing tradition. Bring your voices. Bring your signs. Bring your support. Mark your calendar — and be there. Fraser Downs is worth fighting for!"
Fraser Downs operator Great Canadian Entertainment announced on Aug. 15 that the City of Surrey has chosen to enact its lease recapture clause on the land currently occupied by the racetrack, ending harness racing at the only provincial Standardbred racetrack while casino and racebook operations continue in the grandstand's Elements Casino Surrey, which was not part of the lease termination.
That news blindsided the industry, coming less than three weeks away from the scheduled fall meet, with Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke citing future redevelopment plans as the reason for ending the lease to "begin the critical planning and pre-construction work to revitalize the Cloverdale fairgrounds and town centre..."
In a letter dated Aug. 22 addressed to a number of MLAs in the Surrey area, MacMillan called for government intervention in order to protect the families and jobs affected by this sudden and shocking development.
A petition advocating for the preservation of Fraser Downs has received nearly 5,800 signatures as of press time.
(With files from HRBC)