By Orville Clarke, Freelance WriterTHE JAMAICA Racehorse Trainers Association (JRTA) has said that no new form of gaming at Caymanas Park should be introduced in the divestment programme without the consensus of the people of the surrounding communities in Portmore.
This was one of the concerns coming out of a special general meeting of the JRTA held recently in the Trainers' Room at Caymanas Park. It was attended by over 70 trainers.
Coming out of this meeting, the president of the JRTA, Vin Edwards, has written to Finance Minister Dr. Omar Davies to bring their concerns to his attention. The letter read:
APPRECIATION
"When Caymanas Track Limited (CTL) and its previous relating companies were established, the communities of Gregory Park, Newland and Christian Pen were already in existence and demonstrated eager appreciation for the horse racing activities as they evolved.
"Also, the other communities of Portmore Bridgeport, Independence City, etc., which developed in and around the Gregory Park area of Caymanas Track, accepted horse racing and race horse betting as an adjunct of the racing industry.
"The churches and the new communities which came after the establishment of the racetrack accepted the position of race horse betting, but since they might be strongly opposed to any new form of gaming, we caution that no new form should be introduced without consensus of the people of these communities.
"On the other hand, here in Jamaica, the NIBJ ignored any input from the professionals and owners, when compiling their prospectus for the divestment of Caymanas Track Limited, although these form an integral part of the industry. "The revenue in the prospectus would have to be increased four fold in order to sustain the investment required: $1 billion to upgrade plant (urgently needed), $400 million for gaming machines, $500 million to upgrade horse population. Whoever succeeds in this bidding must show proof that this money is on the table.
POLITICAL IMPACT
The letter then looked at the political impact, noting that the people who are in line to get the track will provoke a stormy political debate and adverse innuendoes, likely to prove harmful to the present healthy economic climate.
"The suitability of new directors should pass the most rigid tests of transparency and integrity with respect to monopoly of gaming, and should be free from all traces of nepotism. We cannot over emphasise that this industry should not be put into the hands of people who have already failed in its management.
The JRTA was reacting to reports that the proposals from one of two bidders, Horsemen Limited, included plans for a 50,000 square feet Entertainment Centre to be built at Caymanas Park within a year, this including a Monte Carlo Gaming Lounge, a 450-seat Palace Amusement Cinema, Cactus Nightclub, Corporate Boxes, and an Irie TV Studio, among other things.
