Leamington Raceway posts 'best season ever' — giving a boost to the community along the way

It was a record-breaking year for the Lakeshore Horse Racing Association. Betting was up 30 per cent over last year at Leamington Raceway this past summer and fall. And attendance was up too.

"We're bringing in a better calibre of race horses. But we're now appealing to the families. Every Sunday we have some type of family activity," said Tom Bain, executive member of the association.

Bain said a good day when they first started would have been $20,000 betted, but this past season $85,000 was bet on a single day.

Two days they beat attendance records with 1,400 people in the stands.

"This past season has been our best ever," he said, adding that the horse racing also pumps millions of dollars into the economy.

"It's fantastic news for the community, the spin-off for local businesses, for restaurants, for shopping, for coffee shops and for gas," said Leamington Mayor Hilda MacDonald.

It also helps the farming community, such as those who grow hay and other feed for the horses.

Tammy Meloche of Kingsville grows hay as part of the farm's income. She estimates it could mean about $8,000 in revenue, which can offset rising costs on the farm.

"And the cost of fuel and everything else it'll definitely offset that if there's more people interested in buying our hay," said Meloche.

Dan Wiper, the president of the Leamington Agricultural Society, which runs the raceway, says the race dates bring in about $2,500 per day for the society. He said it represents about 30 per cent of the income for the society which uses the money for upkeep of the facilities.

"It's what keeps us alive. Our society people are all not-for-profit," said Wiper.

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Bain said with the success of the track this past season their organization will be asking the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) to increase the number of their race dates from 13 to 16 next season and an increase in the amount of purse money they get.

He said they attract more people than London or Toronto but those tracks get more purse money and he feels Leamington should be reimbursed according to its stellar performance.

"We're putting on a huge show, I think doing great, attracting new horses and our purses run around $4,000 to $5,000 a race. When you compare to other tracks like London they're up $1,000 or $1,500 more per race than us. So we're looking to try to get our purse money increased also," said Bain.

He said they will make the request at the beginning of January and should get an answer by the end of the month.