News
2011 Harness Season Clarified
A proposal to eliminate all standardbred race dates in 2011 is a temporary measure, says Derek Sturko, Chair of the BC Horse Racing Industry Management Committee.
In a letter to industry participants, Sturko says Great Canadian Gaming Corporation (operator of Fraser Downs) "needs to carefully consider" the 2011 harness racing season at Fraser Downs.
Note: This text has been transcribed from a letter by Derek Sturko, Chair of the BC Horse Racing Industry Management Committee. (download a copy of the official letter)
August 16,2010
Horse Racing Industry Participants:
Re: Important Clarification Regarding the 2011 Standardbred Race Season
Further to my August 13, 2010 letter, I am writing to provide clarification concerning intentions for the 2011 standardbred race season.
As noted in my previous letter, the fiscal circumstances concerning the horse racing industry are difficult and the BC Horse Racing Industry Management Committee is considering how to respond to those challenges in the best interests of the industry. These circumstances will require a new approach to the business of horse racing.
My previous letter communicated decisions the Great Canadian Gaming Corporation (GCGC) felt it needed to take concerning the 2010 and 2011 standardbred race seasons, including the temporary withdrawal of all 2011 standardbred race days. However, as my letter indicated, GCGC has not indicated there will be no replacement race days for the ones that have been withdrawn.
Rather, GCGC has advised the committee it needs to carefully consider what the 2011 season will look like. The reference to the possibility of an inter-provincial standardbred racing season with Alberta is one that merits consideration before final decisions are made about the 2011 season.
Neither BC or Alberta have made any formal commitment to an inter-provincial season. Such a season has not been identified as a condition of 2011 standardbred race days. However, it has the potential to improve the viability of the Be season.
In conclusion, GCGC has temporarily withdrawn all 2011 standardbred race days while it considers what the 2011 season should look like. This will involve discussions with representatives of the standardbred sector and investigation of the possibility of an interprovincial season with Alberta. If those discussions do not prove such an inter-provincial season is viable, at that time GCGC will make decisions concerning the 2011 standardbred race season.
Derek Sturko
Chair, BC Horse Racing Industry Management Committee
pc: Honourable Rich Coleman
Committee members
Chris Curtis
Doug Scott
