Transitioning the Fort Erie Racetrack into a functional non-profit organization is moving along as planned, says Jim Thibert, general manager of the Fort Erie Economic Development and Tourism Corporation (EDTC).
In a teleconference this week with local reporters, Thibert explained the process of turning the 112-year-old border oval into a viable facility and what still needs to be done to make it work during the upcoming three-year trial period it will be operated by the Fort Erie Live Racing Consortium. Late this week, the lease agreement and a transitional management agreement with owners Nordic Gaming was expected to be complete, moving one step closer to the 2010 racing season coming out of the gates with 78 race dates, as an application to the Ontario Racing Commission has been submitted.
A quarter horse program will also be part of the plan over the next three years, but dates for the unique style of racing coming to town have not yet been finalized.
The season will start in the middle of May and run until October.
“The calendar is almost complete,” he said.
Thibert also expects a new management team to be in place very soon, who will be responsible for promoting the fresh start the track has been given. He said it is detrimental to provide a new, unique product for race fans and horsemen.
“In the long run, if people don’t see a significant difference in how we’re going to approach it, we could very well have a year like we did last year,” said Thibert referring to the millions of dollars the track has lost over recent years.
Erie Personnel has also been acquired to assess human resource levels and many experts of the industry have been coming forward with ideas and suggestions, Thibert said.
“There’s a lot going on here and we’ve got a lot of people trying to help us.”