Gaming laws hindering $20M investment in horse racing- Hon Walwyn
The Minister responsible for Sports was delivering an impromptu speech at the Sunday November 13, 2016 grand luncheon at Ellis Thomas Downs in Sea Cows Bay to honour eight men: Messers Paul “On the Ball” Hewlet and Karl “Dub” Scatliffe, who are well known commentators, Immanuel Hodge and Ifield Hodge who were horse owners from Huntums Ghut and the Punchenella group also from Huntums Ghut- Kelvin “Gushie” Thomas, Roy L. “Yellow” Garraway, Ashley “Feather” Warner, and Derrick “Aruba” Marshal, who have contributed positively towards the development of the sport throughout the years.
According to Hon Walwyn, the same investor from Florida who recently signed a $20M deal with the neighbouring USVI to improve their horse racing was brought to him by President of the VI Horse Owners Association (VIHOA) Mrs Patsy C. Lake and is also interested in the Virgin Islands (UK).
The agreement between the Government of the US Virgin Islands and VIGL Operations LLC calls for the latter to take over the management of both the Clinton E. Phipps racetrack on St Thomas and the Randall “Doc” James racetrack on St Croix. VIGL will partner with the government to transform the local horse racing industry and bring new revenue streams and jobs to the territory.
USVI Governor Kenneth E. Mapp had announced late last month that, under the terms of the deal, VIGL will make a $30 million capital investment at both tracks.
Hon Walwyn claimed VIGL is willing to invest $20M @ Ellis Thomas Downs
“…and they want to spend 20 million towards improving the track but there are certain things that must be done in order for it to be bankable and one of those things is addressing our laws as it relates to gaming. Because it’s no sense of these people spending 20 million and they are not making any returns out of it,” Hon Walwyn said.
“If we work together and get some of the things done right we can make sure that horse racing not just becomes a sport for enjoyment, but for commercial purposes as well.”
Not standing in the way of pari-mutuel
The Minister also noted that he is not the one in the way of making pari-mutuel wagering a reality in the territory.
“…Because I went out on a limb and made a statement in the House and I said it is time for us to move in that direction but I cannot do it by myself, it’s going to take all of us to make sure that our voices are heard, that we need to do something with horse racing to keep it alive and pari-mutuel is one of those ways of getting it done. There are opportunities out there but it just takes a movement of the community to change certain things.”
President of the VI Horse Owners Association (VIHOA), Mrs Patsy C. Lake urged the VIHOA to make their voices heard since very soon St Croix and St Thomas will no longer need them for their tracks.
28 honoured so far
Meanwhile, Mrs lake said 28 persons have so far been honoured by the VI Horse Owners Association.
“We salute our honourees, we are very proud of what they have done,” she added.
Premier Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith, in his message, congratulated the eight recognised on Sunday and stated that the horse racing sport holds a very significant meaning in the VI culture and heritage, and for many years it has been part of the territory’s annual holiday activities and commemorative celebrations.
“We are therefore delighted to see this long- standing tradition continues to draw people from near and far, to participate in one of the liveliest events on our annual calendar,” he said, adding his commendation to the VIHOA for honouring these horse racing stalwarts.
Leader of the Opposition Hon Julian Fraser stated likewise through his message, that “These men being honoured are definitely no strangers to the community of racing fans and myself as their presence is unavoidable in the sport. The VIHOA must also be credited for being seen as giving back to the sport in a way that can only result in its longevity.”
Karl “Dub” Scatliffe was the only honouree not present yesterday.
.png)
Follow Us On
18 Responses to “Gaming laws hindering $20M investment in horse racing- Hon Walwyn”
Desperation! And so we will continue to make bad decisions on ideas with no real thought behind them.
what will happen to that track and he was right.
ow