Talks break off between Leamington horsemen and province

Negotiations between the Lakeshore Horse Racing Association (LHRA) and the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporationhave broken off, according to the LHRA.

The horse racing association was trying to negotiate to have slot machines or a raceway funding agreement with the province to support harness horse racing in Leamington.

"We're very disappointed. You've got 2,000 jobs in this area that are at stake," said association member TomBain, who is also the mayor of Lakeshore.

There are two years left on the current agreement, which provides $35,000 in purse money per race date and $25,000 for operating expenses.

The LHRA operates 13 race dates a season at Leamington Raceway, with two remaining races scheduled for this year.

Searching for a similar agreement

Bain wants to see the same agreement that other raceways near Toronto have negotiated.

He believes the Woodbine Entertainment Group, which has been given control over the horse racing industry in Ontario, has a conflict of interest and wants to squeeze smaller tracks out of business.

The LHRA is being offered an additional $4,000 per race date, but Bain saidthat won't be sustainable in the future and there's no guarantee of further increases.

He saidthey don't know what the other racetracks have been offered.

Push for jobs

"We need to maintain our jobs," said LHRA president Mark Williams. "We aren't trying to pit horsemen against horsemen. We just want to be treated fairly."

TheLHRAargue slot machines were part of the business model at Windsor Raceway and so they should be atLeamington, because it's the only place local harness racing continues.

Bain said 1,000 people come out to races at the raceway and support local businesses in Leamington, such as restaurants.

"Government has a role to invest in key sectors of the economy," said former Canadian Auto WorkersPresident KenLewenza, emphasizing that the funding should not be considered a subsidy but an investment for jobs which create taxpayers.

Asking for a promise to be kept

The LHRAisturning to Minister of Finance Vic Fedeli and Chatham-Kent-Essex MPPRick Nicholls to put pressure on their PC Ford government to make good on promises made to support local horse racing.

Currently, no new talks are scheduled.