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Post by Evelyn on Nov 8, 2013 9:34:04 GMT -5
Despite all the chat about how it's necessary and it's the "new world of racing", I'm tired of seeing tracks close. I really hope Suffolk survives!
Suffolk Recommended for 2014 Racing License
By Tom LaMarra
Bloodhorse
Suffolk Downs received a recommendation that its request for 100 days of racing be approved for 2014, but a track official said there are "variables" that could complicate matters.
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission Department of Racing recommended approval of the Suffolk Downs
application for live racing and full-card simulcasts. The full MGC, during a Nov. 7 meeting, took the recommendation under advisement and will render a decision later this year.
Suffolk Downs officials are hoping to win the Boston-area license to build a destination resort casino. Though track ownership has passed a suitability examination, they need a new casino developer and, on Nov. 5, ended up with a split vote in the two communities in which the track is located.
East Boston, which has 100 acres of the track, voted against casino gambling at Suffolk Downs, but Revere, where 50 acres including the barn area is located, voted to approve the ballot measure. Suffolk Downs is now exploring moving the casino part of the development across the border to Revere.
"It is our intent to operate a racetrack," Suffolk Downs chief operating officer Chip Tuttle said. "We hope to operate next year. There are several variables, but we are here to express our intent to conduct a race meet (in 2014). We are committed to trying to continue our racing operation as much as possible."
Tuttle's comments came in response to a question from the MGC about whether live racing at Suffolk Downs is solely tied to the company receiving a casino license. Commissioners said they want to give Suffolk Downs as much flexibility as possible, but they also noted the precarious nature of the situation.
Tuttle said no decision would be made on the fly.
"We take very seriously our responsibility to the people who work at our facility," Tuttle said. "We will not take any action without seeking the appropriate guidance of this commission."
The dates request calls for racing from June 2 to Nov. 29. Just days before the Nov. 5 vote, track officials announced plans to spend about $40 million on upgrades to the racing facility and barn area as part of the overall casino development.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 8, 2013 11:31:51 GMT -5
Suffolk will probably survive, and they'll wind up snubbing their nose at East Boston. Lost in the shuffle of the votes on Tuesday is the fact that the voters of Revere approved having a casino. Part of Suffolk Downs is in the town of Revere, as is Wonderland Greyhound Park, with which Suffolk Downs has some financial involvement. They're already working on an alternate plan to build the casino in Revere. bostonherald.com/news_opinion/local_politics/2013/11/suffolk_downs_reassessing_as_eastie_rejects_casino_bidEast Boston residents voted a resounding no to Suffolk Downs’ casino bid in an election-night shocker that rocked the gaming landscape and delivered a decisive blow to Mayor Thomas M. Menino’s top legacy project.
But racetrack officials said they’re “reassessing” options that could include a casino on land they own in Revere, which passed the referendum.
“We’re going to work with Revere,” Suffolk Downs Chief Operating Officer Chip Tuttle said.
“We have 52 acres in Revere — that’s bigger than other developers’ entire sites. There are other developments where the property may be in two different communities but the development’s all in one side.
”The casino had to get approval from voters in both communities where it was to be based, but most of the resort had been slated for Eastie, where Suffolk Downs owns more land.
Yesterday in Revere, the casino won 59 percent to 38 percent. In East Boston, it was defeated 56 percent to 43 percent......
.....Revere Mayor Dan Rizzo said he believes there’s still time to make a run at an all-Revere casino.
“I believe that if they were able to reshape the project so it could fit within the boundary of 52 acres, I’d hope and feel confident that we wouldn’t have to … take another vote,” he said.
The track is examining whether it has time to change the specifics of the casino plan before the Dec. 31 deadline set by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, Tuttle said..... |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 8, 2013 11:49:15 GMT -5
More about Wonderland and Suffolk Downs in Revere:
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Wonderland Greyhound Park was a greyhound racing track located in Revere, Massachusetts owned by the Westwood Group. It was constructed on the site of the former Wonderland Amusement Park. Wonderland opened on June 12, 1935 and formerly offered 361 performances during its 100-day, April to September racing period.
As a result of a state-wide ban on dog racing which took effect on January 1, 2010, the track offered only simulcast wagering, but completely closed its doors on August 19, 2010. The track laid off the remaining 75-80 workers and closed its doors after Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick vetoed a gaming bill that could have allowed the park to add slot machines.
With the end of its greyhound racing, Wonderland formed a partnership with nearby Suffolk Downs horse track to build a casino on the site, but this plan also allows the option of the track being redeveloped for commercial or mixed uses.
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cait
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Post by cait on Nov 8, 2013 13:34:12 GMT -5
suffolk is building by itself? no replacement for caesars? will that scrap the renovations to suffolk since the $'s going to a casino?
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Post by Deleted on Nov 8, 2013 13:47:36 GMT -5
They have to redo their plan to keep it all in Revere and also find a new casino developer. It seems like they don't have to find that developer in advance of the December 31 deadline. Suffolk Downs themselves have already gone through and passed their "suitability" rating.
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