Latest news with #Gilly
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
City of Hendersonville pursues grant to make parks accessible
HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — One Sumner County city could soon receive a grant to improve parks within the community. Hendersonville city leaders say vacant buildings are becoming nuisance The City of Hendersonville recently applied for a $6.5 million grant for their parks. Hendersonville Director of Parks and Recreation, Andy Gilly, said he wanted to make parks more ADA-compliant through the building of inclusive playgrounds, wheelchair-accessible restrooms and paved parking lots. Gilly said officials also hope to rebuild concession stands to attract visitors. Gilly added officials have plans for all six parks across the city. Neighborhood News: Stories impacting your community | Read More 'We were able to see those needs and we tried to check things off the list for the last five years,' Gilly says. 'A grant like this would help us to make a major impact in getting up to speed in some areas that both our staff and the public thought were important.' Gilly said officials will know by August if the city receives the grant. Once approved, the construction process will take one to three years to complete. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'Greyhound racing cost my pet its leg - I back the ban'
A man who adopted a greyhound that lost a leg while racing believes the "cradle to grave" attitude towards the breed must change. Essex Havard, 58, from Cardiff, first met Gilly six years ago when she was dumped by her owner after breaking her leg. The Welsh government announced on Tuesday the sport would be banned "as soon as practically possible" and was not "impossible" before the next Senedd election in 2026. The Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) said experts and vets were on site at all times to ensure the highest possible standards of welfare. Mr Havard has been a long-time supporter of a ban, even before he met Gilly, and said he was "very pleased" about the announcement. "She came to us three-legged because she broke her leg on the Valley track and was left there by her trainer," he said. Gilly was taken in by charity Hope Rescue, and Mr Havard said there was a "nervousness" about her when she was first adopted. He said this was common among former racing greyhounds who struggle to adopt to life outside the track. "They've lived their lives in concrete boxes. If they're lucky with another greyhound." He said the bedding-in process can "take three to six months", but added it has been a joy to see her transform into the "settled" and "happy" dog she is today. Mr Havard said Gilly is now "bold, curious and very tolerant" and loves playing with other dogs. Mr Havard was one of 35,000 people to sign a Senedd petition to ban the sport, which had cross-party support and a government consultation. There is only one greyhound track in Wales, the Valley Greyhound Stadium in Ystrad Mynach, Caerphilly county, which became licensed by The Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) in 2023 after a £2m upgrade. Elsewhere, one of London's oldest tracks, the Crayford Greyhound Stadium, closed due to "dwindling support", while New Zealand is also planning a ban due to an "unacceptably high" injury rate. But animal welfare campaigners argued the number of races increased in Wales last year, citing streaming and betting. Mr Havard said the industry did not care about dogs, only "winning and getting money from them". He claimed 80% of greyhounds bred for racing were born in Ireland, where they often go from "cradle to grave". "You can't have one puppy per litter, you need six or seven," he said. "So they choose the best one, and then they get rid of the rest." He said the solution was to close the tracks "stifle the supply and kill the demand for these dogs". Beca Brown, 51, from Llanrug, Gwynedd, also saw signs of mistreatment when she adopted her greyhound, Nel. "Nel was very unsocialised, quite afraid of everything, but particularly men. She was very reactive to any other dog breeds that weren't greyhounds," she said. The Gwynedd councillor, also a trustee of Welsh Greyhound Rescue, said greyhounds had been "othered" in contrast to other breeds. "People would be up in arms if that was a labrador or spaniel. But somehow we look at them as racing dogs. "When they come out into into the pet world, they just don't know how to behave." She said she was "so glad" the sport was being banned in Wales and she hoped other nations would follow suit. Lizzie Culpin, from Greyhound Rescue Wales, helps to rehabilitate ex-racing dogs in Garnant, Ammanford. She said the oval track caused significant problems for the dogs, with broken legs and musculoskeletal injuries most common. She said the charity currently held 19 dogs in its 20 kennels and the charity was "prepared" for an influx after the ban, with fears hundreds of dogs will be discarded. "We are working with lots of other charities so that no greyhound will go without a home," she said. "It's a very dangerous situation for a greyhound to be in," she added. Greyhound Rescue Wales' chief executive Tim Doyle called the announcement "momentous". "We are pleased that the Welsh government has put animal welfare first and added Wales to the extensive list of countries that have banned greyhound racing in recent years," he said. He said the charity was focusing on rehoming greyhounds with the total number "unlikely to decrease in the near future". A deal to support the Welsh government's spending plans, including the ban, is expected on Tuesday with support from Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Jane Dodds, who said earlier this week racing dogs underwent "needless" suffering. The GBGB said this was an admission the Welsh government's decision had more to do with passing the budget than racing itself. Mark Bird, its chief executive, said: "This is not how any piece of legislation should be decided upon and is the kind of cynical behaviour that destroys people's trust in government leaving them totally disillusioned about how politicians behave." The GBGB also said all greyhounds racing at officially licensed tracks were supported by a retirement scheme. A £420 bond shared between owners and GBGB helps with costs associated with retirement, including kennelling and caring for the dog until a home is found. Greyhound racing to be banned in Wales Labour budget deal expected with Lib Dem Dodds New Zealand to ban greyhound racing
BBC News
22-02-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Greyhound racing ban Wales: 'My dog lost its leg at the track'
A man who adopted a greyhound that lost a leg while racing believes the "cradle to grave" attitude towards the breed must Havard, 58, from Cardiff, first met Gilly six years ago when she was dumped by her owner after breaking her Welsh government announced on Tuesday the sport would be banned "as soon as practically possible" and was not "impossible" before the next Senedd election in Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) said experts and vets were on site at all times to ensure the highest possible standards of welfare. Mr Havard has been a long-time supporter of a ban, even before he met Gilly, and said he was "very pleased" about the announcement."She came to us three-legged because she broke her leg on the Valley track and was left there by her trainer," he was taken in by charity Hope Rescue, and Mr Havard said there was a "nervousness" about her when she was first adopted. He said this was common among former racing greyhounds who struggle to adopt to life outside the track. "They've lived their lives in concrete boxes. If they're lucky with another greyhound."He said the bedding-in process can "take three to six months", but added it has been a joy to see her transform into the "settled" and "happy" dog she is Havard said Gilly is now "bold, curious and very tolerant" and loves playing with other dogs. Mr Havard was one of 35,000 people to sign a Senedd petition to ban the sport, which had cross-party support and a government consultation. There is only one greyhound track in Wales, the Valley Greyhound Stadium in Ystrad Mynach, Caerphilly county, which became licensed by The Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) in 2023 after a £2m upgrade. Elsewhere, one of London's oldest tracks, the Crayford Greyhound Stadium, closed due to "dwindling support", while New Zealand is also planning a ban due to an "unacceptably high" injury rate. But animal welfare campaigners argued the number of races increased in Wales last year, citing streaming and betting. Mr Havard said the industry did not care about dogs, only "winning and getting money from them". He claimed 80% of greyhounds bred for racing were born in Ireland, where they often go from "cradle to grave"."You can't have one puppy per litter, you need six or seven," he said. "So they choose the best one, and then they get rid of the rest."He said the solution was to close the tracks "stifle the supply and kill the demand for these dogs". Beca Brown, 51, from Llanrug, Gwynedd, also saw signs of mistreatment when she adopted her greyhound, Nel. "Nel was very unsocialised, quite afraid of everything, but particularly men. She was very reactive to any other dog breeds that weren't greyhounds," she Gwynedd councillor, also a trustee of Welsh Greyhound Rescue, said greyhounds had been "othered" in contrast to other breeds."People would be up in arms if that was a labrador or spaniel. But somehow we look at them as racing dogs."When they come out into into the pet world, they just don't know how to behave."She said she was "so glad" the sport was being banned in Wales and she hoped other nations would follow suit. Lizzie Culpin, from Greyhound Rescue Wales, helps to rehabilitate ex-racing dogs in Garnant, said the oval track caused significant problems for the dogs, with broken legs and musculoskeletal injuries most said the charity currently held 19 dogs in its 20 kennels and the charity was "prepared" for an influx after the ban, with fears hundreds of dogs will be discarded."We are working with lots of other charities so that no greyhound will go without a home," she said."It's a very dangerous situation for a greyhound to be in," she added. Greyhound Rescue Wales' chief executive Tim Doyle called the announcement "momentous". "We are pleased that the Welsh government has put animal welfare first and added Wales to the extensive list of countries that have banned greyhound racing in recent years," he said the charity was focusing on rehoming greyhounds with the total number "unlikely to decrease in the near future".A deal to support the Welsh government's spending plans, including the ban, is expected on Tuesday with support from Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Jane Dodds, who said earlier this week racing dogs underwent "needless" suffering. The GBGB said this was an admission the Welsh government's decision had more to do with passing the budget than racing itself. Mark Bird, its chief executive, said: "This is not how any piece of legislation should be decided upon and is the kind of cynical behaviour that destroys people's trust in government leaving them totally disillusioned about how politicians behave."The GBGB also said all greyhounds racing at officially licensed tracks were supported by a retirement scheme. A £420 bond shared between owners and GBGB helps with costs associated with retirement, including kennelling and caring for the dog until a home is found.
Chicago Tribune
10-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
New bar-arcade proposed for downtown Aurora would include bocce ball, arcade games and more
A newly-proposed arcade and activity bar, which would be located in downtown Aurora in the space above Society 57, is looking to 'redefine what social entertainment is.' That's according to Erik Gilly, who proposed the concept to the Aurora City Council's Committee of the Whole last week. Unlike a typical bar, Rec Haus would include a variety of games and activities ranging from bocce ball and shuffleboard tables to pinball and arcade games, though it would still offer an 'impressive selection' of local beer on tap along with wine and signature cocktails, he said. 'We really want to inspire people to come downtown and to get them used to treating downtown Aurora as a place you can do more than just get dinner or just see a show at the Paramount,' Gilly said. 'We want to have Rec Haus be another great addition to somebody's night out.' The arcade bar is proposed for the second floor of 100 S. River St., which was originally planned to be occupied by Society 57, the coffee shop and event space on the building's first floor. However, Society 57 never expanded into the second floor, and Gilly has now signed a lease to put Rec Haus in that space if approved by the Aurora City Council. According to Gilly's presentation at Feb. 4's Committee of the Whole meeting, Rec Haus would feature seven game lanes of bocce ball, putter-pong and bags; a number of table games like shuffleboard, pool and foosball; darts; Skee-Ball and basketball; pinball and arcade games, but not the kind played for redeemable tickets. The arcade bar would also feature games that people probably haven't heard of, like Terraball, which is a blend between pool, shuffleboard and miniature golf, Gilly said. Gilly worked for 14 years in the coin-operated amusement industry, including six years at arcade-game company Bandai Namco, he said. His most recent job with a pinball manufacturer took him around the country to work with bars, bar arcades and other businesses with a similar concept to Rec Haus, and he saw those businesses working and thriving within their communities, he said. A floor plan included with Gilly's presentation showed a 32-seat central bar with circular tables built into the two corners and other separate tables scattered around. Rec Haus would also feature a self-serve tap wall, similar to Tapville in the Fox Valley Mall, Gilly said. Those renting out one of the seven game lanes could expect bartenders to bring them drinks and food, he said. Rec Haus is not looking to compete with restaurants in downtown and is instead looking to support them by getting more people on downtown streets, particularly during weeknights, in part by hosting leagues for many of its activities and events like bingo, trivia and karaoke, according to Gilly. The bar is not proposed to have a kitchen and would instead serve packaged food like pretzels and jerky. While guests could make those things a meal, they would also be encouraged to visit downtown restaurants before or after they come to Rec Haus, Gilly said. Plus, QR codes would be featured on each of the bar's tables to allow guests to order food from nearby restaurants like New China Hut and Taqueria El Tio, according to Gilly's presentation. Guests would be allowed to bring their own food or get food delivered to the bar, according to a staff report about Rec Haus included with the Feb. 4 Committee of the Whole meeting agenda. Rec Haus would be open Tuesday to Thursday from 3 p.m. to midnight, Friday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to midnight. Although the bar would likely be closed on Monday to start, Gilly said he'd consider opening that day too if the demand was high enough. Similar to how many breweries work, children would be welcome in Rec Haus before 9 p.m., Gilly said. After that, only those 21 or older would be allowed in. If the Aurora City Council approves at its meeting on Tuesday items related to Rec Haus, then the arcade bar would look to open June 1, according to Gilly. He said construction would likely take around 12 weeks. Two items related to Rec Haus will be on Tuesday's Aurora City Council agenda: one that adjusts the River Street Plaza Plan Description for 100 S. River St. to allow for arcade uses, and another would increase the number of downtown fridge on-site consumption liquor licenses to allow the Liquor Commission to issue a license to Rec Haus. The Committee of the Whole placed both items on the Aurora City Council's consent agenda, which is typically used for routine or non-controversial items that are all approved with one vote and without discussion instead of needing to vote on and talk about each individual item.
