Town passes motion to accept Woodstock Driving Club safety plan
Woodstock Town Councillors have approved a plan that allows harness racing to resume at Connell Park Raceway.
At a special meeting of the Woodstock Town Council on Thursday, July 24, councillors unanimously passed a motion approving the Woodstock Driving Club’s safety plan, which was presented to town officials on July 23.
Races will resume on Aug. 4, after Old Home Week.
The town previously cancelled race cards scheduled for July 26 and Aug. 1, as well as lawnmower races set for Ribfest weekend on June 22.
Harness races were initially halted after a three-year-old died when he was struck by the starting gate attached to the pacing truck during the season opener at Connell Park Raceway on June 14. The death remains under investigation by the Woodstock Police Force (WPF).
Deputy Police Chief Simon Watts told the River Valley Sun that the WPF is nearing the conclusion of its investigation and is currently reviewing the file.
“Once that is complete, we will liaise with the crown (prosecutors’ office) and the (New Brunswick) Coroners’ Office before releasing our findings to the public,” said Watts. He noted that the department would be issuing a news release when the investigation is concluded, which he said would be “soon.”
The tragic accident prompted the Town of Woodstock to conduct a review of all operations at the track. Each event organizer who uses the town-owned facility was required to submit a detailed safety plan to the town before the event could proceed.
Two harness racing cards and lawn mower races were cancelled as a result. Other activities, such as the Woodstock Truck and Tractor Pull, were permitted to proceed after organizers submitted a safety plan for the town’s approval.
Shortly after the July 24 special council meeting, the town issued a press release, stating it had concluded its formal safety review of Connell Park Raceway.
“This review, conducted in consultation with legal counsel, Town staff, and Mayor and Council, reinforces the Town’s commitment to the safety of participants, organizers, and spectators at all events held on Town property,” noted the release.
“Since the review began, Town staff have been working closely with all event organizers to assess and improve their individual event plans. The Town has engaged in detailed discussions with the Woodstock Driving Club, the association responsible for harness racing at Connell Park Raceway. The Club has implemented several changes to further enhance safety and has agreed to comply with additional Town requests, allowing harness racing to resume,” the release stated.
As part of this process, the town said it will be engaging a third-party firm to help develop a “more robust Event Guide for organizers hosting temporary events on municipal property.” When asked what organization would be handling this contract, Woodstock CAO Allan Walker said the town is in the process of choosing a provider.
“I have two proposals in front of me and I will be finalizing the selection next week,” he noted in an email to the River Valley Sun. “And for clarity, they will be helping us develop a more thorough event guide to use going forward, not acting as an event guide on an ongoing basis.”
It’s not known what parameters are being used to choose the service provider, but Walker did say the town “tendered by invitation as per our procurement policy.”
The release did note that this new guide will “clearly outline the responsibilities of event organizers to assess and manage risks, develop emergency response plans, ensure proper facility and spectator management, and comply with all applicable permits, insurance and regulations.”
The Woodstock Driving Club leases the track from the Town of Woodstock.
Club President Owen Davies said that news of horse racing resuming at the raceway is a relief to the harness racing community.
“It’s been extremely difficult,” Davies said. “You know, this was something out of the blue that we never expected to happen, nor did anybody else. It’s been extremely hard for everybody.”
Davies said their safety plan includes adding a few gates, installing a temporary fence to keep fans further away from the track, and erecting warning signs in key areas. The cost of the new safety measures is expected to be close to $7,000 for the club.
He also said the driving club will be working with other tracks to reschedule the previously cancelled races, as all horse owners would have had to pay their entrance fees in advance.
In the town’s press release, the municipality said it will continue with further renovations to Connell Park Raceway in the coming months. Improvements will include upgraded fencing, pigeon mitigation, grandstand washroom upgrades and other enhancements.
“The Town of Woodstock thanks all event organizers, participants, and community members for their patience and collaboration during this important process,” the release noted. “We recognize that rescheduling events can be challenging, but the steps taken were necessary to ensure a sustainable path forward.”
The River Valley Sun reached out to Horse Racing New Brunswick for comment, but has not heard back from the organization.
Davies said the Woodstock Driving Club will acknowledge and pay tribute to the victim and his family with a moment of silence before the race card begins on Aug. 4.
