NEWS RELEASE
GRAND RIVER RACEWAY
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ELORA – Grand River Raceway is thrilled to announce the official opening of its new 5/8-mile racetrack, marking a significant milestone in the facility’s history. The ribbon-cutting ceremony, held Wednesday, was attended by key stakeholders, community members, and racing enthusiasts, celebrating the culmination of a transformative project that began in the winter of 2023.
The expansion, completed on time and within budget, showcases the commitment and collaboration of everyone involved. This ambitious project was made possible through the support of Ontario Racing and the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. The track's design, credited to the renowned Greg and Dan Coon, reflects the latest advancements in racetrack engineering, ensuring a premier racing experience.
Opening night on June 5 set a new benchmark for Grand River Raceway, with record-breaking wagering of $404,000 across a thrilling 10-race card. This remarkable achievement underscores the track’s potential to enhance the local racing scene and attract significant attention from the wider racing community.
The new track is already receiving rave reviews from drivers and trainers alike, who commend its fast surface and modern design.
"The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive," said Facilities Manager Doug McCaig, who played an instrumental role in overseeing the da-to-day progress of the construction. "It's rewarding to see the hard work of our team and contractors pay off in such a significant way."
In addition to elevating the racing experience, the 5/8 mile track provides a valuable training ground for local horsemen, many of whom previously traveled to Mohawk for training, broadening the facilities accessible to the racing community.
Grand River Raceway extends thanks to all the contractors and workers whose dedication and expertise brought this project to fruition. Special recognition goes to Doug McCaig for his leadership throughout the construction phase.
As we look to the future, Grand River Raceway remains committed to providing top-tier racing and training facilities, fostering a vibrant and competitive environment for all. We invite everyone to join us in celebrating this new chapter and experiencing the excitement of racing at our state-of-the-art track.
Here’s what you can expect this summer at GRR:
SPECIALITY RACE NIGHTS
July 12 – Wiener Dog Races
Aug. 5 – Industry Day, featuring the Battle of Waterloo presented by Winbak Farms, 12:30 p.m. post time
Aug. 30 – Harness the Hope Night – Giant Pink Patio Party on The GrandWay patio (dress in pink)
Sept. 6 – National Caretaker Appreciation Day at GRR, OSS 50th Celebration.
Get tickets and details about these events here: https://grandriverraceway.com/events/
Free Family Fun
Every race night (Mon/Wed/Fri) is free entry for all. Need something for the kids to do? Our ambassador Tom, along with a variety of mutuel tellers, will be handing out neighbourhood bags full of fun activities for kids every race night.
Get a group of 12 or more together and enjoy a VIP experience right next to the track! Groups get an intimate horse racing experience in a reserved seating area on The GrandWay Patio. Limited dates available, excludes GRR specialty race night dates. Contact [email protected] for details.
Check out The GrandWay Events Centre (next door to GRR) for Yuk Yuk’s Comedy Nights, Murder Mystery Dinner Theatres, and more throughout the summer and into fall/winter. Go to: https://thegrandway.com/grand-events/
Follow GRR on social (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn) or subscribe to its mailing list on their website grandriverraceway.com.
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