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December
15,
2008
Press
Release
FORT
ERIE, December 15... Nordic Gaming Corporation,
the owner and operator of Fort Erie Race Track, held
a meeting today with its employees who work on the horse
racing side of their business.
The purpose of
the meeting was to inform those employees that it appears
that the Fort Erie Race Track will not be able to continue
live racing in 2009. While Nordic will pursue every effort
to try and find a way to continue racing in 2009, there
are regulatory requirements that the Company must comply
with, thus these employees were advised that their employment
was being terminated effective March 31, 2009. This notice
immediately impacts approximately 190 employees.
This decision
has been a difficult one for the company; one which Nordic
has delayed for several years. As most people are aware,
the company has spent the last two years focusing on efforts
to “Save the Track”. Over that time every effort
has been expended to find a solution to keep the track
operating. Nordic has, and continues to work, with all
of the stakeholders, including the various Unions and their
members. However, the company is unable to continue to
absorb the substantial operating losses year after year,
and hence the reason for the decision to begin preparing
for closure.
The company will
be working with its employees and their union representatives
to keep them informed of all significant information in
the coming weeks and months. In that regard Nordic will
comply with it’s obligations under their collective
agreements as well as with the Employment Standards Act.
Nordic has also
notified The H.B.P.A. OF ONTARIO and The Ontario Racing
Commission of this pending action by virtue of their application
for race dates to the Ontario Racing Commission, as well
as in meetings and conversations with both organizations.
Both these bodies have already taken action with respect
to this issue, and they both have communicated those actions
through public communications.
Daryl
Wells
Media and Communications
1-800-295-3770 ext. 3204
e-mail: dwells@forterieracetrack.ca
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