As we race down the stretch to the last few months of the 2018 spring months of the race meet at Fraser Downs Racetrack here in Cloverdale, we’re anticipating a year that will be full of strategic negotiations for the future of the racing industry here in British Columbia. It’s a challenge we are up for.
- Our current meet goes through until mid-April in 2018 and our Fall Meet will now start mid-September in 2018 and run through to at least mid-April in 2019.
- We’ve come a long way in the last while but we have a long way to go and we celebrate each success and step taken forward in the past year.
- It’s a time to discuss issues candidly, provide sustainable solutions and determine what help we all need to move forward.
- Working with other provincial and national organizations, including sports organizations, has been key to producing support and recognition for our athletes - humans and horses. Concussions are an area of key concern in sports today, including the horse sports.
- Safety for our horsemen and horses is paramount and track conditions play the key role.
- Harness Racing BC continues to liaise with Provincial Government Ministers and key staffers, discussing the importance, viability and needs of our industry. Other parties to the industry will also be brought into the fold as we negotiate the course.
- Reviews of current documents and processes have been initiated and audits are occurring. We remain unwavering in our commitment to the future of harness racing.
- With the absence of a sign on the property to announce to the community and visitors that live horse racing is happening here in Surrey, HRBC took the initiative to produce and pay for a 12’ x 12’ graphic photo showcasing the racing action here on the track. This graphic image is displayed on the front of Elements Casino – and as they say, a picture is worth a thousand words….
The coming year will demonstrate more than ever that we are determined to achieve a more sustainable season and business model that makes economic sense. We recognize the important value of the jobs we provide throughout the community, the province and the country; and that an expansion of those can happen through a healthy and prosperous harness horse racing industry.
We intend to move through 2018 with a reinvigorated enthusiasm and strategic decision-making to revitalize and push our industry into a position of strength with a truly optimistic future.
Our Standardbred horses really do drive our passion as we negotiate our course for the future – so let’s Harness the Passion!
Carla Robin
Executive Director
HARNESS THE VISION...At Harness Racing BC, we strive to provide quality, exciting races to increase revenue for our industry participants and the government. Harness Racing in Cloverdale contributes substantially to the BC economic sectors more than most sports and entertainment through job creation in a variety of sectors - agriculture, hospitality, tourism and careers directly related to working with the horses in the racing industry
