Ontario Racetracks Spoiled with Generous Funding Amendment

Kawartha Downs is ready to receive financial support coming straight from Ontario’s provincial government. A recent announcement made it clear that some CA$3 million is about to boost the provincial racetracks on an annual basis, supporting their operation during these trying times. This will happen with the help of the amended Long-Term Funding Agreement that was first introduced in the spring of 2019.

There are 15 horse racing hotspots across the province and the unprecedented situation has taken its toll on each and every one of them. Local horse people rely on the purses coming with the live races happening on their premises, as this is the financial support they receive. The physical distancing recommendations issued back in March 2020 paralyzed daily operation.

Additional CA$3,000,000

Many racetracks in Ontario had to cut their racing seasons short as a result of lockdown with some of them returning in the summer and fall months of the year. Their reduced capacity and special safety and health measures led to the eventual reduction of the number of people allowed on their site while a live race is in progress.

• Kawartha Downs Welcomes Live Spectators

Live broadcasts and the option to place bets from home on the official platforms of these racetracks was the way to go for most of the year. Individuals making their way to Kawartha Downs this summer were able to take their seats on the tarmac before the grandstand and all safety protocols were being taken care of. In-person wagering was available via self-serve betting machines and pari-mutuel tellers optimizing the process. Wagers were also accepted at hpibet.com.

• Kawartha Downs Bids Farewell to 2019 Season, Is Ontario Racing Supportive?

Now Ontario’s government wants to show its further support with the most recent amendment. Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock MPP Laurie Scott said that the additional funding amounting to CA$3 million sprinkled across all 15 horse racetracks will outweigh the negative impact of the unprecedented situation. Back in April 2019, Minister of Finance Charles Sousa unveiled an investment of CA$105 million per year in provincial racetracks that will span up until April 2038.

Amended Funding Agreement

The initial idea was for it to alleviate the negative impact of the end of the Slots at Racetracks program. The additional support is going to support the Fraserville racing hotspot among others. Supporting the horse people of Ontario has been one of the priorities of the provincial government throughout 2020.

• Kawartha Downs Lets You Walk in a Horse Owners’ Shoes for a Night

The spring months gave them the chance to file their application and obtain some of the purse money available under the Funding Agreement with the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation. Through it, Standardbred, Thoroughbred, and Quarter horse owners became eligible for financial support if they meet certain conditions. The last days of December 2020 saw the official introduction of the 2021 Race Date Schedule for the province of Ontario.

• Kawartha Downs Enters New Era Powered by New Management, More Gambling

According to it, Kawartha Downs received a total of 18 days of live Standardbred races this year. They will commence in June with the first one scheduled to take place on June 6. The post time for this live race date is 4 p.m. Races will continue until September 26.