Latest news with #HastingsRacecourse
CTV News
13-06-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Calls to abolish horse racing in East Vancouver after latest animal death
File: Horses kick up mud as they round a corner during a stakes race at Hastings Racecourse in Vancouver, B.C., on Monday July 2, 2012. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck) There are calls to abolish horse racing in East Vancouver following another death at the Hastings Racecourse. The racehorse Gem Dancer collapsed and died following an event on Sunday, during a period of elevated temperatures that Environment and Climate Change Canada called an 'early season heat event.' In a news release, the Vancouver Humane Society suggested the horse died due to heat exhaustion, and called the incident 'preventable.' The charitable organization also submitted a report to city council the following day asking officials to end horse racing at the facility when its operating agreement expires next year. 'The VHS is urging decision-makers to support a move away from horse racing at Hastings Park and toward alternative land use that offers potential for long-term economic resilience, greater public utilization of space, and alignment with public values and interest,' the charity said. B.C.'s Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General told CTV News that Gem Dancer's cause of death has not been confirmed, but she was taken to the Animal Health Centre for a necropsy. In a statement, the ministry confirmed the horse 'began showing signs of distress' and collapsed shortly after being led off the track on Sunday. She was attended to by a veterinarian from the Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch – which regulates the B.C. horseracing industry – along with several others onlookers, but could not be saved, officials said. 'Despite efforts to cool the horse down, and after being in distress for (approximately two minutes), Gem Dancer became unresponsive and was pronounced deceased by the attending veterinarian,' the ministry said, in its statement. There were four deaths at Hastings Racecourse last year, three of which were related to races. One took place during training. That amounts to 1.78 deaths per 1,000 starts, according to the province. The Vancouver Humane Society said that rate is 'markedly higher' than the industry average, and 'almost double the 0.90 fatality rate at tracks regulated by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority.' No deaths were recorded at Faser Downs Racetrack last year.
CTV News
07-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Tsleil-Waututh First Nation looking to acquire Hastings Park casino in Vancouver
The racetrack in Hastings Park and the Pacific Coliseum are seen from the air in May 2019. (Pete Cline / CTV News Vancouver) The Tsleil-Waututh First Nation may soon be the owner of a casino in the City of Vancouver. The nation announced Friday that it had entered a 'non-binding memorandum of understanding' with Great Canadian Gaming Corporation that – if completed – would see the nation acquire the casino business and 'related real property interests' at Hastings Racecourse & Casino. 'We are thrilled to take another important step towards economic self-determination for our nation in our traditional territory, and we are eager to work with the senior management team at Great Canadian Entertainment to finalize due diligence and execute a definitive agreement, as well as working with the City of Vancouver to ensure the best long-term use of this important asset within the city,' said Chief Jen Thomas, in a statement. 'We believe that this opportunity is historic for us in many ways, and we look forward to entering the gaming industry in due course.' The agreement is subject to further due diligence and 'finalization of financial terms,' according to the statement. 'We are excited about working with TWN on their potential acquisition of the casino operations and related real property interests at Hastings Racecourse & Casino,' said Matt Anfinson, CEO of Great Canadian Entertainment, in the statement. 'Recognizing that Hastings is part of the TWN's traditional territory, we can think of no better entity to inherit this asset, and we look forward to supporting them in the transition after the anticipated close of the sale.' Any sales agreement that comes together is expected to be subject to 'customary approvals by gaming regulatory and other authorities,' the party said. One of those authorities would be the City of Vancouver itself, which owns the land on which the casino is located.
CBC
06-06-2025
- Business
- CBC
Tsleil-Waututh reach tenative deal to acquire Hastings Racecourse casino in Vancouver
Social Sharing The Tsleil-Waututh Nation says it has reached a preliminary deal to purchase the casino business and related real estate at Hastings Racecourse and Casino in Vancouver from Great Canadian Entertainment, the country's largest gaming and hospitality company. The First Nation announced Friday that it has signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with the company and is now working toward a formal agreement. "We are thrilled to take another important step towards economic self-determination for our Nation in our traditional territory," said Tsleil-Waututh Chief Jen Thomas in a statement. "We believe that this opportunity is historic for us in many ways, and we look forward to entering the gaming industry in due course." The Hastings site is located in the First Nation's traditional territory around Burrard Inlet. The deal is still subject to due diligence and final approval from regulators, including the City of Vancouver, which owns the land. In the same statement, Great Canadian CEO Matt Anfinson said the company supports the sale. "Recognizing that Hastings is part of the TWN's traditional territory, we can think of no better entity to inherit this asset," he said. The company says it will continue to provide transition services to the First Nation following the anticipated closing of the deal. No timeline for the final agreement or anticipated closing date has been announced. Earlier this year, Vancouver Island's Snuneymuxw First Nation completed a similar move in January, acquiring Casino Nanaimo and Elements Casino Victoria from Great Canadian Entertainment after receiving final regulatory approval. At the time, the First Nation said the transition would generate sustainable wealth and bolster Snuneymuxw's influence locally, nationally and globally.
