Two groups representing horse racing in Ontario are backing the Western Fair District's call for provincial help, now that Gateway Casinos is looking elsewhere for a new casino site.
In a statement issued Friday, the Central Ontario Standardbred Association said the decision by Gateway to explore building a new casino in the Wonderland Road and Wharcliffe Road area, rather than at the Western Fair District, is very disappointing and will put racing at The Raceway at Western Fair District in jeopardy.
“Initially the entire reason to have the casinos located at the province’s racetracks was to mutually benefit both the slot and racetrack operators. That has now fallen by the wayside with the sale of the casinos from the Ontario government (Ontario Lottery and Gaming), to private operators," COSA President Bill O'Donnell said in the statement. “We’re very concerned about the future of racing in the London region which has been a hotbed for harness racing for many decades. The Raceway at Western Fair is an integral cog in the wheel of horse racing here and with more than 100 race dates per year it provides a livelihood for thousands of people in the region."
Because of this, the COSA is supporting the Western Fair's request for help from the provincial government. Its statement said it is optimistic the Ford government will honour the request, given its words of support for the restoration of the slots at racetrack program and horse racing.
The request for help is also being backed by Ontario Racing, which oversees harness racing in the province.
“The Raceway at Western Fair, considering its sizeable investment and long-standing charitable endeavours in the greater London area, has been a solid citizen and integral piece of the fabric of the community for decades," said Ontario Racing Chair John Hayes in a statement issued this week. "With a broad offering that extends beyond horse racing, The Raceway, its employees, the horse people and community at large face a very uncertain future. Ontario Racing is committed to providing whatever support it can to help maintain racing in the London area.”
The Raceway at Western Fair generates an economic impact of more than $50 million and supports well over 5,000 jobs across the region, according to Western Fair President Hugh Mitchell.
