Georgian dispute continues

The impasse at Georgian Downs continues and the Ontario racetrack appears to be likely closed for a period of time as track management has now taken its latest offer to the Ontario Harness Horseman Association off the table.

A letter sent Jan. 13 from Georgian Downs to OHHA CEO John Walzak has been published, and appears below. Reportedly a last-minute request by the OHHA for clarification was rejected by Georgian Downs' management, which then said the offer was "off the table."

Dear Mr. Walzak:

Please accept this as our final position as it pertains to a 2007 racing contract with the Ontario Harness Horse Association.

A one-year term of the agreement, ending December 31, 2007, with an attached letter of understanding that Georgian Downs and OHHA would jointly apply for a minimum 104 racedates for the calendar years 2008 and 2009.

A 50/50 split on all pari-mutuel revenues (live, export, intertrack, TAB & teletheatre).

Ontario Racing Commission approved racing schedule for 2007.

Double-header racing programs – pending regulatory approval – on days when O.S.S. grassroots cards have been assigned. This amounts to four occasions in 2007.

All other terms and conditions to be carried forward from the January 1, 2001 racing contract between GDL and OHHA with the exception of Article 10.01. The second paragraph of Article 10.01 pertaining to OHHA's 18-months of post-contract exclusivity is to be deleted.

I trust that these terms will be most favourable to your members. Our position has changed drastically from our November 3 meeting, in which you, your president and your district directors agreed to a one-year rollover of the existing contract. We have negotiated in good faith and shown tremendous goodwill in making this offer. Our hope is that the above terms bring finality to the current conflict.

We respectfully ask that you take this proposal to your members for a vote. Should an OHHA members meeting in District 5 not be publicly announced by Tuesday, January 16, 2007 at 5:00 pm EST, we will assume that OHHA's administration has refused to share these terms with its members. In that event, the terms provided above will become null and void.

Sincerely,

Georgian Downs Ltd.

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