Horses at the Red Shores Racetrack are living a little more comfortably as of late.
While horses, trainers and owners have enjoyed new stables since moving into a replacement barn about two months ago, an official opening for the $1.5 million project took place on the weekend.
A number of government delegates and members of the P.E.I. Standardbred Horse Owners Association celebrated the project’s completion, which includes a replacement stable barn with 120 stalls, 12 tack stalls and 12 wash stalls.
“This new stabling is a much healthier environment for our horses and the people who work with them,” said Colleen Dickie, chair of the association. “On behalf of the Prince Edward Island Standardbred Horse Owners Association, I want to express our appreciation to the federal and provincial governments and all our funding partners for their support.”
The project also involved demolition of deteriorating barns on the north end of the racetrack and the creation of a parking lot beside the new facility.
The project began shortly after the association identified a need to replace the more than forty-year-old barns to ensure safety of members and horses, as well as to promote new growth and industry investment, in a 2011 redevelopment feasibility analysis.
Adam Walsh, racing experience manager for Red Shores, described t he project as a true example of “Island cooperation.”
“We are happy to have a played our part in the project; from logistics support during planning and construction to helping ensure a smooth transition for horses and owners and to the day-to-day operational role we continue to play,” said Walsh.
Gail Shea, minister of fisheries and oceans, attended the event on behalf of minister of state Rob Moore.
Shea credited the association with getting the ball rolling on the project.
““The PEI Standardbred Horse Owners Association has worked hard to modernize these facilities for its members,” said Shea. “Our government’s contribution to this project is generating positive economic spin-offs through community, industry, and business building, as well as tourism benefits, contributing to growth and long-term prosperity in Prince Edward Island.”
Ron McKinley, minister of aquaculture and rural development, said the new facility will also help the future of harness racing on P.E.I. by showcasing the industry.
“The harness racing industry contributes more than $40 million annually to the provincial economy and creates jobs and economic activity throughout rural Prince Edward Island.”
The project was supported by $750,00 from the federal government through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency’s innovative communities fund.
The provincial government also contributed $750,000 through several different departments.
Horses at the Red Shores Racetrack are living a little more comfortably as of late.
While horses, trainers and owners have enjoyed new stables since moving into a replacement barn about two months ago, an official opening for the $1.5 million project took place on the weekend.
A number of government delegates and members of the P.E.I. Standardbred Horse Owners Association celebrated the project’s completion, which includes a replacement stable barn with 120 stalls, 12 tack stalls and 12 wash stalls.
“This new stabling is a much healthier environment for our horses and the people who work with them,” said Colleen Dickie, chair of the association. “On behalf of the Prince Edward Island Standardbred Horse Owners Association, I want to express our appreciation to the federal and provincial governments and all our funding partners for their support.”
The project also involved demolition of deteriorating barns on the north end of the racetrack and the creation of a parking lot beside the new facility.
The project began shortly after the association identified a need to replace the more than forty-year-old barns to ensure safety of members and horses, as well as to promote new growth and industry investment, in a 2011 redevelopment feasibility analysis.
Adam Walsh, racing experience manager for Red Shores, described t he project as a true example of “Island cooperation.”
“We are happy to have a played our part in the project; from logistics support during planning and construction to helping ensure a smooth transition for horses and owners and to the day-to-day operational role we continue to play,” said Walsh.
Gail Shea, minister of fisheries and oceans, attended the event on behalf of minister of state Rob Moore.
Shea credited the association with getting the ball rolling on the project.
““The PEI Standardbred Horse Owners Association has worked hard to modernize these facilities for its members,” said Shea. “Our government’s contribution to this project is generating positive economic spin-offs through community, industry, and business building, as well as tourism benefits, contributing to growth and long-term prosperity in Prince Edward Island.”
Ron McKinley, minister of aquaculture and rural development, said the new facility will also help the future of harness racing on P.E.I. by showcasing the industry.
“The harness racing industry contributes more than $40 million annually to the provincial economy and creates jobs and economic activity throughout rural Prince Edward Island.”
The project was supported by $750,00 from the federal government through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency’s innovative communities fund.
The provincial government also contributed $750,000 through several different departments.
