On Monday, Pima County Board of Supervisors agreed to hold an emergency meeting January 5, 2016 to consider granting a 1 year extension to the Rillito Park Foundation. Many believe the County had tried to kill the racetrack’s future in favor of soccer proponents when the supervisors postponed discussion of the issue at their meeting on December 19.
Earlier on Monday, Pima County administrator Chuck Huckelberry issued a memo stating that because the “Board of Supervisors action to continue any agreement with the Rillito Park Foundation regarding horseracing until February 2, 2016, it is unlikely there will be horseracing in Calendar Year 2016, as horseracing dates need to be reserved and approved by the Arizona Department of Racing.”
The first race at the track is scheduled for January 30.
During the December 15 meeting, Bronson was the most vocal opponent to the Foundation, however after the supervisors voted to postpone the discussion until the first meeting in February, Supervisor Valadez said he wanted to “make it very clear. Where they could co-exist, they co-exist,” referring to soccer and horseracing, “but we are moving toward soccer.”
According to sources, the discussion at the December 15 meeting was well-choreographed. Bronson, Carroll, Elias and Valadez went through the motions of delaying the discussion for political gain. Now, they can pressure the horse owners into supporting them in the future. The races will be spared this year, and the majority on the Board will portray the move as a heroic compromise that save yet one more economic driver. Of course, as with all economic drivers, they will eventually work to bring about its demise.
“As a result of the unanswered questions at the December 15th meeting, the Board unanimously approved continuing the contract review to the first meeting in February as recommended by Supervisor Richard Elias,” stated Board minority member Supervisor Ally Miller on Monday.
“It then became clear this date would end horse racing in Pima County for 2016 and tonight I was informed the chair, Sharon Bronson has agreed to put this item on the Jan 5, 2016 agenda so the horsemen will have a final decision from the Board of Supervisors so they can plan accordingly for the upcoming horseracing season,” continued Miller.
“I support horse racing as long as I receive satisfactory answers to questions raised at the Board meeting on December 15th. I have been assured by the operator, Jay Wells those answers are forthcoming. Supervisor Ramon Valadez suggested the Board revisit the 2006 decision by the Board to transition to soccer at Rillito Park. Currently Rillito Park is a mixed use facility including both soccer and horseracing. Horseracing is a part of our heritage here in Pima County, and I hope to see a decision from this Board that accommodates horse racing as well as soccer,” said Miller.
Miller concluded, “I encourage members of the community to be present at this January 5th meeting.”
UPDATE: According to Ally Miller, she was advised by the operator that the horseracing crisis is over. “This vote will take place on January 5th. Based upon the operator’s comments, the vote is already in. Below is Operator Jaye Wells post to the horseman posted December 21, 2015 after the Pima Fair Race Commission meeting I attended last night,” Miller advised constituents this morning.
Discussion and vote on Rillito Race Track 12/15/2015, provided by the Office of Supervisor Ally Miller