Hastings Racecourse Backstretch Re-Opens May 1

The Great Canadian Gaming Corp. (Track Operator) will re-open Hastings Racecourse on May 1 for stabling beginning at 6 a.m.

The Hastings Racecourse track will open for training on May 2.

The Track Operator will be working on protocols regarding physical distancing and safeguarding the health of all racetrack personnel in advance of May 1. Details of training/exercise protocols will be finalized in conjunction with the Thoroughbred horsemen’s associations.

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It was also noted that Standardbred horses are being permitted to return to be stabled at Fraser Downs @ Elements, with light exercise only allowed.

The Track Operator stated its position that it is not willing at this point to conduct live racing at either Hastings or Fraser Downs unless spectators can be present, should health authorities permit such gatherings to occur at some point in the future. Racing would need to have spectators present in order for the Track Operator’s business model to be potentially sustainable.

Training hours will be from 6:00 am to 10:30 am, with one break from 8:00 am to 8:30 am Tuesday through Sunday inclusive. The Track will be closed on Mondays.

Only licensed essential personnel will be allowed entry to the barn area, which includes:

Trainers
Exercise Riders
Grooms
Jockeys
Hotwalkers
Assistant Trainers
Blacksmiths
Pony Riders
Veterinarians
Ambulance Personnel
GPEB Officials
Out Riders
Hastings Employees
Trackers Employees,
HBPA Feed store employees

Owners, Jockey Agents and guests are not permitted entry to the barn area at this time.

All Essential Personnel must comply with Physical and Social Distancing Rules and Personal Hygiene as set out by the Provincial Health Officer for British Columbia.

All personnel must abide by any Hastings Racecourse health & safety requirements and COVID-19 precautionary measures. This includes but is not limited to:

Passive and self-screening at the barn area entrance.
Hastings Racecourse’s provided signage of protocol at all entrances of the backstretch must be visible
Stay home when ill or when a family member in the household is ill, and self-isolate/isolate as advised by provincial health authorities
Maintain strict physical distancing of at least two (2) metres (or six (6) feet)
Strict hand handwashing and hygiene when on site
Report any suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 immediately to the HBPA, security gate personnel and Michael Zerebeski (General Manager)

Tracker’s Cafeteria will be open for take-out only and abide by all Provincial orders and WorkSafeBC requirements.