Niagara Falls Fun - Clifton Hill, Niagara Falls Canada

Source: The Review

Speedway proposal goes to Region
Posted By RAY SPITERI Review Staff Writer

Over to you, Niagara Region.

The Canadian Motor Speedway proposal, which was endorsed by Fort Erie town council after a lengthy meeting Monday night, will be discussed during a regional planning session today.

And while it’s not expected to be as raucous and boisterous a meeting as Monday’s, how the region receives the project will go a long way in determining the future of the multi-million dollar proposal.

“I do believe it needs to be supported right now,” said Fort Erie Reg. Coun. Shirley Cordiner. “I think we need to look at we (in Fort Erie) may not get something this big for a long, long time. If we don’t support it, no one else will come to our community to look at opening a big project.”

Cordiner, who attended Monday’s meeting at the Leisureplex banquet hall, said she understands the nature of the objections raised by opponents, especially concerns about noise. (more…)

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‘NASCAR … is a vision in people’s minds’
Racing association denies it’s holding event in Fort Erie
Posted By JOHN LAW REVIEW STAFF WRITER

A proposed racetrack for Fort Erie was never pitched using the NASCAR brand name.

So, why can’t cynics and headline writers stop bringing it up, wonders the general manager of the town’s Economic Development and Tourism Corp.

“The release which was made public indicated it’s an international motor speedway complex, and we told people we’re not relying on NASCAR,” said Jim Thibert, referring to last week’s announcement of a $200-million, 65,000-seat track planned near the QEW, between Gilmore Road and Bowen Road. (more…)

“There’s nothing being said about NASCAR and we did not talk about NASCAR. NASCAR, unfortunately, is a vision in people’s minds.”

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No NASCAR at proposed Fort Erie track
Posted By JOHN LAW

FORT ERIE – A proposed race track for Fort Erie was never pitched using the NASCAR brand name.

So why can’t cynics and headline writers stop bringing it up, wonders the president of the town’s Economic Development and Tourism Corp.

“The release which was made public indicated it’s an international motor speedway complex, and we told people we’re not relying on NASCAR,” said Jim Thibert, referring to last week’s announcement of a $200 million, 65,000-seat track planned near the QEW, between Gilmore Road and Bowen Road.  (more…)

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Track, casinos sharing makes ‘great deal of sense’
But Sadinsky wants government to decide specifics
Posted By BY COREY LAROCQUE REVIEW STAFF WRITER

Niagara’s two commercial casinos could help the Fort Erie Race Track in a lot of different ways if they were under the same financial umbrella, says Stanley Sadinsky, the head of a panel that published a study on reviving Ontario’s horse-racing industry.

When Sadinsky’s report, “It’s All About Leadership,” was released Tuesday it suggested Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort, Casino Niagara and Caesars Windsor could “assist” the operation of the racetracks in Fort Erie and Windsor.

But the report lacked specific proposals about how to do that -deliberately so, said Sadinsky, a Queen’s University law professor and former chairman of Ontario Lottery and Gaming. (more…)

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Will province gamble on new gaming plan?
CASINOS, SLOTS MIGHT WORK TOGETHER
Posted By BY COREY LAROCQUE REVIEW STAFF WRITER

Casino Niagara and Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort could “assist” the Fort Erie Race Track, according to a government study on how to prop up Ontario’s horse-racing industry, though the report doesn’t specify how to do that.

It has left government officials and gambling-industry representatives at a loss for words about what kind of assistance the casinos might offer the struggling racetrack industry.

“I don’t have an answer. I saw it. I guess you’re looking at every opportunity there might be,” Niagara Falls MPP Kim Craitor said after reading the report by Stanley Sadinsky, a Queen’s University professor and former chairman of Ontario Lottery and Gaming.

The provincial government commissioned Sadinsky last year to write a strategic plan aimed at helping Ontario’s horse-racing and horse-breeding industries. (more…)

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Track kicks off 111th season
Winning, losing and having fun
Posted By TONY RICCIUTO

Picking a winner at the Fort Erie Race Track doesn’t necessarily mean you will be going home with money in your pocket.

In fact, the exact opposite might happen.

Just ask Rob Curtis of Rochester, N.Y., who won $7.50 in the first race Saturday, the track’s opening day, but ended up having to pay $30.

That’s because the group of friends he hangs out with have a rule that the winner of a race ends up buying a round of beer.

Curtis, at only his second time at the track, said that was an expensive win and that he would have to change his strategy and try to pick losers not winners.

Even though it rained all day Saturday, and attendance would probably have been much better if the weather had co-operated, those who did show up were anxious to get the 111th season started.

Ron Druzynski, also from Rochester, said he visits once a year with a group of friends that he bowls with and it’s always on opening day. (more…)

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Prepping for the post; Horse racing returns to Fort Erie on May 3
Posted By TONY RICCIUTO

Thoroughbred racing is getting ready to return to the Fort Erie Race Track, but it could use a little help from the weatherman.

On Sunday, the track opened its stable area to all horsemen and suppliers and weather permitting, the thoroughbreds will be training later this week.

“We’ve had a few horses shipping in today and more will be coming in as the week goes on,” said Daryl Wells Jr., director of media and communications at the track.

“We’ve had a few hiccups because of the weather. We had that last storm that blew through here a little while ago and the track froze up. The maintenance crew is working on it and it’s a big job getting it ready.” (more…)

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Horses to begin training this week at Fort Erie Race Track
Posted By TONY RICCIUTO / Review Staff Writer

Thoroughbred racing is getting ready to return to the Fort Erie Race Track, but it could use a little help from the weatherman.

On Sunday, the track opened its stable area to all horsemen and suppliers and weather permitting the thoroughbreds will be training later this week.

“We’ve had a few horses shipping in today and more will be coming in as the week goes on,” said Daryl Wells Jr., director of media and communications at the track. (more…)

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Owners lining up to race at Fort track
Posted By JOHN ROBBINS

Last week, the Fort Erie Race Track announced there will indeed be live racing this year.

On Thursday, the track confirmed they have enough horses to run the races.

Track spokesman Daryl Wells said more than 1,000 applications have been received for stalls at the track so far with the possibility of more coming in still.

That’s fewer than the 1,400 applications the track had at this time last year – but welcome news, considering it wasn’t until last week that track owner Nordic Gaming confirmed it was committed to 80 days of live racing this season. (more…)

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MAJOR NEWS AT TRACK TODAY
Posted By RAY SPITERI

An “important” announcement regarding live racing at the Fort Erie Race Track is expected to be made today.

But those close to negotiations aimed at sustaining the track’s long-term future in the face of declining revenue would not elaborate Tuesday on details surrounding the 8:45 a.m. press conference scheduled at the track’s corporate offices.

“I can’t do it,” said Mayor Doug Martin, when asked at town hall last night whether the announcement will reveal good news for the track, its employees and race fans. (more…)