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And they’re off to the horse races!

By Meg Olson

“We don’t have an application yet but we’re expecting it,” said Gary Christianson, interim secretary of Washington State’s horse racing commission. Christianson and the commission heard a proposal at their last meeting for a turf track operating 20 weeks a year and a permanent clubhouse with simulcast betting – in Point Roberts.

Andy Stronach, son of racetrack magnate Frank Stronach and previous executive with his father’s company, Magna Entertainment Corporation, is apparently branching out on his own with an emphasis on off-track and internet betting. Magna is one of the largest owners of racetracks in North America, owning or operating eight U.S. racetracks and a few north of the border.

According to a report in the Daily Racing Form, Stronach’s proposal includes a 20,000 square foot clubhouse that would offer race simulcasts from across the country and off-track betting, in addition to a restaurant and bars. During warmer months an outdoor turf track would operate for 20 weeks, two days a week. Three turf courses with temporary railings and tents for horse stalls, concessions and betting would all disappear in the winter.

The proposed facility would be built on 67 acres off Benson and Mill roads owned by the Point Roberts partnership Georgia Park. Partner Ron Nielson said Stronach had visited to pitch the proposal and talk about purchasing the land, but no deal had been finalized. “It’s all talk at this point,” he said. “Nothing is final and we haven’t got anything in writing.”
Nielson said he understood permitting at the state and county level could take from 12 to 18 months. The project needs state approval for the racing, wagering and simulcast operation, while county approval is needed to build the facility.

Nielson said he saw several benefits to the community from the project coming to the Point, from jobs to green development.

The clubhouse, which will generate most of the profit from the operation, could employ up to 120 people. Off-track betting on this side of the line is a draw for Canadian horse-racing fans, since Canadian tax laws do not allow Canadian wagers to be part of U.S. prize pools. A trifecta bet on the Kentucky Derby placed at a facility in Canada will win less than half what the same bet could draw in the U.S. since it draws from a much smaller pool.

When the turf track area is not in use, Neilson said he understood it would be available for community recreation. “They have racing 30 or 40 days a year and for that we get almost 70 acres of open space the rest of the year for recreation and an infusion of cash into the community,” he said. “Point Roberts could really win from this.”.

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