To: c.r. earle who wrote (1572 ) 1/13/1998 3:34:00 PM From: John Lawrence Read Replies (2) | Respond to of 5164
Richmond Downs Anyone coming to the AGM will get a chance to take a closer look at the work that has been done on this project. I've had a chance recently to get a glimpse of some of the preparations. I can't pretend to understand all the economic implications of the project, nor do I have any inside information about how Richmond City Council or the B.C. Cabinet are thinking. From my standpoint outside the horse racing industry, and outside the political systems, I would venture the opinion that either governing body would have to think very very carefully about the Richmond Downs proposal. Sun Gold has left no stone unturned in its efforts to satisfy all parties. The project is patterned after a U.S. model which has been found to be very beneficial for all those involved. Essentially the idea is to have an integrated entertainment/horse racing/satellite broadcasting/small stakes gaming/riding instruction and boarding facility. It is, to say the least, multifaceted. Everyone benefits. A world class track and good purses attracts world class horses and stimulates the local horse breeding/racing industry. Children and families have a place for instruction and boarding horses. There is a veterinary hospital and dormitories for the staff. There is a concert pavilion. This is all being designed by the best horse racing facility architects in the world, Ewing Cole Cherry Brott. They designed the cutting edge Singapore Turf Club which will open in March '98. Needless to say, the tax revenues for Richmond and B.C. are in the tens of millions per year. Best of all is that the vast majority of the land required remains enterely devoted to agricultural purposes. The actual buildings take up only a small portion of the land. Sun Gold has assembled a team of consultants to study all potential impacts of the project. From what I can see there are many more positives than negatives. This is a destination style development that will draw tourists. B.C. has wanted to close the old Hastings Park track for some time, but can not afford to lose the 7000 jobs connected to the horse racing industry. There are no other proposals at present. It's impossible to describe the scope and significance of this project in a small space. I just wanted to mention here that the more I find out about this project, and the professional dedication of the team Sun Gold has assembled, the more enthusiastic I become.