Cliff Williams, ContributorTHE EXPIRATION of the deadline for submission of new or improved Proposals For Lease of the race plant in the first week of February has set off another debate about the suitability of the Caymanas operations for modernisation or a need for the establishment of a new facility elsewhere.
Leading the charge for the construction of a new racetrack is investor Howard Hamilton, who did the industry a service last year by making public a feasibility study, carried out at his own expense, to make a determination as to the wisdom or otherwise of any proposal for the refurbishing and modernisation of the Caymanas plant.
MERIT
Based on the figures submitted and since rejected by the evaluators in the two Proposals For Lease of the racing plant received by the Government in its initial offer, it would seem to me that the Hamilton idea for the establishment of a brand new facility has huge merit given the magnitude of the capital outlay required either way.
I suppose it can be argued that 45 years ago at the time of its establishment the location of the racetrack in the Caymanas cane field was ideal but like with everything else changes occur and with it come new challenges. Truth be told, the racetrack has now become hemmed in on all sides by housing developments and that has come with a unique set of social and other problems.
A NEW PLANT
In defense of his submission for the construction of a new facility Mr. Hamilton has cited issues of security, access and most importantly the cost of a new plant which, based on his figures, would not be unaffordable given the amount needed to rehabilitate the Caymanas operations. Another strong argument in favour of establishing new facilities is that there would be minimal or no disruption in the racing calendar when the change over is effected.
The question must arise, given its current financial state, as to whether or not the industry can afford to cease operations during the construction phase of the modernisation process of the Caymanas facility. An intelligent guess would suggest that a period in excess of six months may very well be what is going to be needed to carry out the exercise.
This cannot be a desirable state of affairs and the overwhelming majority of the professionals and other related industry personnel would face untold hardship with any extended interruption of their livelihood.
Then there is also a situation where, for the construction period, the owners would be faced with the prospect of funding the keep and care of the racing equine population without the possibility of earning purses to offset expenses.
As far as I am concerned the argument for the establishment of a new racetrack must be infinitely stronger and wiser than anything that can be presented against it. Therefore there should be only two considerations and these are whether or not it is affordable and if it will be an economically viable investment.
