Fort Erie Race Track Adopts Full Vaccination Policy

Fort Erie Live Racing Consortium has informed that starting from September 22, 2021, spectators must present proof of full vaccination in order to attend the live races at Fort Erie Race Track. This move comes in accordance with the province’s Reopening Ontario Act, 2020, which requires all visitors to be immunized against the unprecedented situation before attending horse racing tracks in Ontario.

In compliance with the federal government’s regulations a fully vaccinated individual is one who has received a full volume of a vaccine approved by Health Canada. Visitors can also be fully vaccinated with not-authorized vaccines by Health Canada, followed by a vaccine mRNA. Those individuals must have received their final dose 14 days before providing the proof at the venue.

New Measures in Place

Tom Valiquette, FELRC’s chief financial officer has recently informed that following the provincial regulations, visitors of the race track must be fully vaccinated if they want to enjoy live races. He added this is also into effect for patrons who plan to watch simulcasting racing at the Racebook during the week and the weekends.

The new rule will go into effect on September 22, 2021, and the proof of vaccination is a document or emailed receipt provided by the provincial government of Ontario. Residents can either print or download their immunization receipts from the provincial booking website. The proof of vaccination does not apply to individuals who are below the age of 18 years old.

There will be medical exemptions allowed, as announced by the province’s Ministry of Health. For example, one exception is that if an individual has suffered from an allergic reaction to a component of the vaccine. Another valid exemption is that if the person is suffering from a heart condition after receiving the first dose of the vaccine.

In order for the exemptions to be accepted, individuals must provide written documentation completed by a physician or registered nurse. The document will then state that the reason for not being fully vaccinated is due to medical concerns. In addition to the visitors, all employees, contractors, and horsepeople of the race track will also be vaccinated or participate in an enhanced screening program.

Renovations

Fort Erie Living Racing Consortium has taken the time during the racing off-season to make some improvements at the Fort Erie Race Track. The new renovations include improving the track’s turf by enhancing drainage and sprinkler systems, along with changes to the backstretch, such as installing eavestroughs before the arrival of the horses.

Improving Results

Before the beginning of the unprecedented situation, the race track has recorded a very successful 2019 live harness season. Back then the track reported an improvement in generated revenue in comparison with even earlier seasons. For the 2019 season, the facility has managed to accumulate over CA$29,970,000 in placed wagers. This is a 7% increase in comparison with the 2018 live season.

Source: “Fort Erie Race Track Will Require Spectators To Be Fully Vaccinated”, Paulick Report, September 17, 2021