News from Hastings · 19.08.08

The past week has seen Hastings Racecourse reach three major milestones.

Final blow to casino opponents

As reported previously at Left Coast Racing, the Hastings Park Conservancy has been trying for four years to prevent slot machines from being installed at Hastings Racecourse. Their last recourse was an appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada, arguing that Vancouver city council had overstepped its jurisdiction when it rezoned the land to allow the slot machines.

On Thursday (14 August) the Supreme Court refused to hear the case. No reason was given, but it can be assumed that the Court felt that the issues were too localized and of little national interest.

New casino opens

The day after the Supreme Court Announcement, Hastings celebrated the opening of its brand-new casino. The 42,000-square-foot facility boasts big-screen TVs, a show lounge featuring live entertainment, and 600 slot machines. At the same time, a temporary casino with 150 slot machines that opened last November at the track was shut down.

Speaking personally, playing the slot machines bores the bejesus out of me. But lots of people enjoy them, and who am I — or the Hastings Park Conservancy, or any group of social-conservative do-gooders — to prevent them from doing so? Better yet, as long as slot profits are pumped back into Hastings and the sport of racing in BC, it’s all good.

Friday nights under the lights

Also last week, Hastings announced that night racing will return next month. For three consecutive Fridays (September 12, 19, and 26), post time for the first race will be 6:30pm, instead of the previously scheduled time of 2:25pm.

As reported in Tom Wolski’s "Hoss Talk", general manager Raj Mutti hopes that the evening race cards will complement the new casino and show lounge to create a fun and exciting night out for Vancouverites.

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