Article published on 28 April 2010
Canadian Horse Racing Venues Fighting for Survival
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For instance, two racing venues in the Canadian province of British Columbia, Hastings Racecourse and Fraser Downs, in particular have been feeling the pinch. And facing possible closure, the province's horse racing industry management may consolidate the tracks.
In a desperate bid to cut costs and stabilize the struggling horse racing industry in the province, B.C. horse racing stakeholders have been looking at any means possible to keep the racing industry afloat in the province, and a consolidation could be the best solution.
If approved, Hastings Racecourse and Fraser Downs would be amalgamated into a dual track that offers both thoroughbred and standardbred racing. And although the proposal is still in the discussion stages, it could be a done deal in the next year or two.
Said B.C. Housing and Social Development Minister, Rich Coleman, 'We haven't made a final determination on one track, but we do believe that will probably be the end result. We just need to determine where that is and how it will operate.'
Located in Vancouver, Hastings Racecourse hosts thoroughbred racing, while Surrey-based Fraser Downs Racecourse offers standardbred racing (harness racing). However, the concept of a single horse racing venue that offers both types of racing is nothing new.
North American tracks already offering both include Woodbine in Toronto, Northlands in Edmonton and Meadowlands in New Jersey. And if the plan goes ahead, it is more than likely that one of the two tracks will be converted into a dual track to cut costs.
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