Future uncertain for Rideau Carleton Raceway
Posted Apr 3, 2012 11:02:04 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OTTAWA – The future of the Rideau Carleton Raceway is in jeopardy after the province cancelled it’s slots contract with the track with two years left on it’s deal.
The provincial government and O.L.G are hoping to pinch pennies by overhauling gaming in Ontario. That means the slots at the raceway could shut down as early as March 31 of next year.
The O.L.G says it wants casinos to be located “where the people are”, and Rideau Carleton Raceway is located about half an hour south of Parliament Hill. The O.L.G. is counting on the 1.5 million visits a year to Rideau Carleton to shift to a new downtown location.
Osgoode Councillor Doug Thompson tells 1310News, the location excuse doesn’t wash.
“Obviously if they put a trade show location in the south end of the city, they’re not worried about people coming there from other parts of the city and province.”
Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson will listen to O.L.G officials in the discussion about a downtown casino, but says it will have to go through public consultation and support from council.
The raceway could stand a chance of survival if some of the regulars continue to go, like Brian, who lives in Manotick, and tells 1310News he’ll go to the raceway, even after the slots close.
“I enjoy the horse races and the dinners there so I will, yes.”
And Danny, who was at the races Monday night, said he thinks the government is making a mistake.
“I think the races should stay there,” he told 1310News. “It’s helping the races and that’s part of our history, it’s been going on there a long, long time.”
These friends said they fear the racetrack will fall back into disrepair if the government closes the slots and moves gambling in Ottawa to the downtown core.
