The grand opening of the Charles F. Willis Memorial Racetrack in O'Leary was a hit with residents and officials alike, as representatives from provincial and federal governments officially inaugurated the newly upgraded facility prior to the Matinee horse race on Monday evening.
On hand for the official opening were the Honourable Neil LeClair, PEI Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Rural Development and Shelley Clark of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.
“The Government of Canada, through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), is pleased to invest in a project that will provide social, cultural, and economic benefits to rural PEI,” said the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of State (ACOA). “Small rural communities across Atlantic Canada are working diligently to create events and activities that draw people to the area and increase their length of stay – and our Government supports these initiatives.”
The West Prince Horsemen's Association Inc. has built on existing strengths and infrastructure to develop the Charles F. Willis Memorial Racetrack into a multi-use equine centre. “It is investments such as these that strengthen economic activities in rural Prince Edward Island and which enhance and enrich our rural communities,” said Minister LeClair. “This project is an excellent example of the vision and hard work of the many volunteers in this area who have worked tirelessly to develop opportunities for today and future generations.”
Through strategic planning and upgrades, the Association can now host weekly matinee races and eventually extend the season well into the fall. The improvements will allow the Association to host a variety of entertainment, recreational and sporting activities for the communities surrounding West Prince and beyond.
“We are pleased to receive the support from both levels of government,” said Mr. Clair Sweet, Secretary/Treasurer for the West Prince Horsemen's Association. “Matinee racetracks are experiencing a new era of growth. With our planned upgrades and improved infrastructure, we can better contribute to the expansion of the overall harness racing industry and, at the same time, contribute to the economy in our community.”
The project received $50,000 in assistance from ACOA under the Innovative Communities Fund for upgrades and enhancements to the matinee racetrack. Service Canada invested $153,713, through the Canada/Prince Edward Island Labour Market Development Agreement, co-managed with the provincial Department of Innovation and Advanced Learning. The Government of Prince Edward Island invested $28,000 from the Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Rural Development's Community Development Program and $25,000 from the Department of Agriculture. BROADCAST VERSION:
Neil LeClair, PEI Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Rural Development, and ACOA representative Shelley Clark were in O'Leary on Monday night celebrating the official opening of the newly upgraded Charles F. Willis Memorial Racetrack. The West Prince Horsemen's Association Inc. developed the Charles F. Willis Memorial Racetrack into a multi-use equine centre. Through strategic upgrades, the Association can now host weekly matinee races and eventually extend the season well into the fall. The improvements will also allow the Association to host a variety of entertainment, recreational and sporting activities for the communities of West Prince and beyond.
The upgrades of the matinee racetrack received $50,000 in assistance from ACOA's Innovative Communities Fund. Service Canada contributed over $153,000 through the Canada/Prince Edward Island Labour Market Development Agreement, which is co-managed with the provincial Department of Innovation and Advanced Learning. The PEI Government invested $28,000 from the Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Rural Development's Community Development Program and $25,000 from the Department of Agriculture.
INFORMATION: Cindy Roy ACOA PEI & Tourism 902-566-7569 Ron Ryder PEI Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Rural Development 902-368-5286
