38/ MARCH/APRIL 2013 THE RIDER
Q.R.O.O.I: 11 Harwood Avenue South, Suite 202, Ajax Ontario L1S 2B9 Telephone: (905) 426-7050 • Fax: (905) 426-7093 Email:
qrooiheadoffice@gmail.com
www.qrooi.com By Rik Hudson.
Late in February news regarding the situation with Ajax Downs, Ontario’s premier Quarter Horse race facility, was heard. On February 26 a lease agree- ment between Ajax Downs and OLG was announced. This ends the speculation the slots facility in the Gaming Zone that includes Ajax, Pickering and Whit- by will be anywhere other than the current location. OLG has provided Ajax Downs with a “Letter
PRESIDENT
Bob Broadstock 18101 Cedardale Road, Nestleton, Ontario L0B 1L0 (905) 986-0044
email:
bob_broadstock@hotmail.com
VICE-PRESIDENT
Erik Lehtinen RR #2,
Uxbridge, ON L9P 1R2
(905) 852-5245
Greg Watson 785 Hwy 7A,
Bethany, ON L0A 1A0 (705) 277-0248
Dr. Gayle Sommer Uxbridge, ON (647) 999-6554
QROOI News March 2013
of Intent” which sets out the general intentions and business arrangements, subject to approvals, between OLG and the site. OLG hopes to finalize this agreement with Ajax Downs by March 15, 2013. Upon notification of this news QROOI Presi- dent Bob Broadstock noted “This deal will allow the OMAFRA Panel and the Ministry of Finance to dis- cuss providing Ajax Downs with government funding for racetrack oper-
ations. This agreement is the first step of many to ensure that Quarter Horse Racing will continue at Ajax Downs. The QROOI takes this opportunity to congratulate Ajax Downs and the Picov Family on securing slot operations will continue at Ajax Downs after March 31, 2013.”
To encourage the gov- ernment agencies oversee- ing racing and its place on the Ontario gaming scene, Bob further stated “We
strongly urge the Ontario Government, the OMAFRA Panel and the Ontario Racing Commis- sion to move quickly to reach the agreements nec- essary that allows Quarter Horse Racing at Ajax Downs to continue. Secur- ing the 2013 season is an immediate requirement, and will provide some level of confidence in our indus- try.”
The OLG/Ajax Downs announcement was timely as it came days before a general informa-
tion meeting organized by the QROOI was conducted, which had been scheduled more than a week prior to the OLG/Ajax Downs announcement. It is hoped this news and the meeting will encourage all Quarter Horsemen and women to come together as one, uni- fied unit to influence ongo- ing security for their sport & industry, and its effect on the rural economy. As welcome as this recent news is, many ques- tions remain to be answered regarding the
coming season, and future seasons. Notice that the OLG has come to a lease agreement with Ajax Downs helps provide some degree of confidence Quar- ter Horse racing has an opportunity to continue at the historic Ajax Downs. Coupled with its predeces- sor – Picov Downs – Quar- ter Horse Racing has been conducted in Ajax for more than 40 years. Now is the time to assure this history continues.
The Quarter Horse Racing brand has main-
OLG Reaches Agreement In Principle For Lease At Ajax Downs
OLG News Release – The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) is pleased to announce that it has reached a lease agreement in principle for its slots operations at Ajax Downs.
OLG has provided the site hold- er with a Letter of Intent, which sets out the general intentions and busi- ness arrangements, subject to approvals, between OLG and the site. OLG previously announced it has reached agreements in principle for its slots operations with 11 other site holders.
WIMPYS TINSELTOWN
sites,” said Rod Phillips, President and CEO of OLG. “We continue to hold discussions with the remaining site holder and are hopeful that a positive outcome to those discus- sions is near for all facilities.” OLG hopes to finalize the agreement with the site holder by March 15, 2013. “We have long- standing and positive relationships with our site holders and look for- ward to working with them in the future,” said Phillips.
“We are pleased to have reached lease agreements in principle for our slots operations at 12 of 14
have increased its net contribution to the Province by $1.3 billion annual- ly, while creating thousands of jobs and driving more than $3 billion in capital investment across Ontario.
OLG is modernizing lottery and gaming in Ontario so that it can con- tinue to support the people and the Province of Ontario. Once this mod- ernization is complete, OLG will
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Six Nations Of The Grand River met with harness racing repre- sentatives earlier this week to explore the possibility of creating a new racetrack in Ontario.
During a meeting of the Physi- cal and Economic Development Committee in December 2012, Chief William Montour and local Six Nations horsemen delivered a pre- sentation as a first step toward a Six Nations harness racing track. At that December meeting, Chief Montour described his vision of a Six Nations destination com- plete with a new bingo building plus a horse racetrack, resort, hotel, con- vention centre, golf course, casino and a water park for children. He said that Six Nations will create the rules going forward and that he wants to see a small local operation that grows and grows and
attracts local horsemen and horse- men from other communities. Through a phased in approach, there could be potential for new wagering and potential slots in the community, he added.
gather further information and help form a definitive strategy for poten- tial next steps.
Discussions included beginning with two or three nights of racing per week. Suggestions were raised for research and a feasibility study. Local horsemen echoed the sen- timent that, at present, the current harness racing industry has adopted a wait and see attitude toward March 31, the date the official Slots-At- Racetracks program ends.
The presentation given by Chief Montour concluded with a proposal for an Ad Hoc committee or board that included local horsemen and Six Nations Council members. The Committee decided to invite more harness racing industry experts to
The Committee met again last Tuesday, February 12 with harness racing representatives, including Ontario Harness Horse Association’s Ken Hardy, Brian Tropea and Jim Whelan, who shared their insights on the current and future state of the industry as it relates to Six Nations. Chief Montour made it abun- dantly clear that Six Nations Elected Council has the sovereign right to make decisions in the best interests of the community. He pointed out that the community cannot rely on federal resources.
tained steady growth and provides a huge benefit to the economy of Ontario’s rural communities. The financial impact Horse Racing has is well docu- mented. The horse indus- try – of which racing repre- sents a large portion – is the second largest sub-sec- tor of Ontario’s Agricultur- al Economy. In short, rac- ing aids farmers. And farmers feed cities, always have and always will.
René Hunderup
P.O. Box 310, Station Main, King City, ON L7B 1A6 (905) 886-7886
Steve Hunter
231485 County Road 24, Grand Valley, Ontario L6X 2P5 • (519) 928-5209
Brian Farell
C2130 - Hwy #7, RR #1, Sunderland, ON L0C 1H0 (705) 357-3214
All parties agreed to build alliances and continue exploring a Six Nations harness racing track with further talks to be scheduled.
Incentive Fund & Futurity
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