Ainsley Walters, Freelance Writer

AFTER vehemently opposing and winning the battle against divestment last year, Vincent Edwards, president of the Jamaica Racehorse Trainers Association (JRTA), has hit out against a proposal by the new Caymanas Track Limited (CTL) board to sell between 40-50 acres of Caymanas Park land to help develop the racetrack.

Edwards, who has been invited by the new Pat Rousseau-led board to be part of an 18-man advisory council, said he became aware of the plan after requesting the terms of reference for the body, as he was skeptical of the number of persons invited to form the group.

"After the new board was appointed, I got a letter from the chairman, inviting us to be part of an advisory council with representatives from the breeders, owners, trainers, jockeys, grooms, farriers, vets, bookmakers and Supreme Ventures Limited," he pointed out.

"My idea was that this was a public meeting, which would fail as so many persons cannot meet to make decisions on a business so I requested a terms of reference and got a letter from the board on December 28," Edwards explained.

The trainers association president told Racing Along among the submissions was a plan to sell 40 to 50 acres of the 196-acre Caymanas Park property.

"The response I received included taking a piece of the existing land, 40-50 acres, for development, to enhance the income of CTL," he said.

Edwards said he has several concerns with the proposal and has since fired off a letter to the CTL board, requesting more details.

"Of the present 196 acres, I would want to see how much is left after subtracting areas now occupied for racing such as the track, the in-field, stands, car parks and so on," he explained.

"I am concerned that after subtracting those areas, then the 40-50 to be sold, not enough would be left over to adequately accommodate stables and so on," Edwards pointed out, adding that he was always for setting aside lands for non-racing enterprises such as a shopping centre, but more in the neighbourhood, of 10 acres.

Edwards said the suggested value of the land, approximately $35m per acre, appeared unrealistic, plus the greenhouse effect could be an environmental disaster.

"Firstly, the question of value cannot be considered in an area, which is important as a green space. I equate Caymanas Park to Hope Gardens as a green area in the community, which we can't put a value on.

Seven-year restriction

"In addition, I know of no land in this area, valued over $15m per acre. Thirdly, there is a seven-year restriction on any development in Portmore due to the depletion of the aquifer. The aquifer has been depleted and is not able to recharge properly," Edwards argued.

"My understanding is a seven-year restriction has been placed on development in this area until the Rio Cobre water scheme is in place."

Edwards also questioned the authority of the CTL board to pursue selling Caymanas Park lands.

"I have further asked whether the board has the right or autonomy to have a proposal such as this without the government's agreement.

"You can't dismantle public property by being on a board. I have sent a copy of the board's correspondence to the minister and I was reliably informed that he knew nothing about it," Edwards alleged.