HAMILTON, ON, Jan. 8, 2016 /CNW/ - On January 5th, when Bruce Barbour, Executive Director of Racing Operations at Flamboro Downs and Georgian Downs, heard about the tragic fire incident at the Classy Lane Stables killing 39 standardbred racehorses, he quickly rallied the support of Great Canadian Gaming Corporation's racing operations across the country resulting in a $5,000 donation to the Central Ontario Standardbred Association (COSA). COSA is currently collecting donations for those impacted by the fire.
"This tragedy has had a profound effect on many members of our racing community in Ontario and it was important for us to step in and lend a hand to a group of people who are the backbone of our industry," said Barbour. He added, "A barn fire of this magnitude is just an awful situation for those impacted by this tragedy."
Great Canadian properties Hastings Racecourse in Vancouver, B.C. and Fraser Downs Racetrack at Elements Casino in Surrey, B.C. along with Ontario-based Georgian Downs and Flamboro Downs made equal contributions to the final donation.
"As the community heals and comes together, Great Canadian racing operations in Ontario and BC will look to support any future fundraising initiatives through financial, in-kind or volunteer efforts," added Barbour.
Great Canadian Gaming Corporation is a Canadian based company that operates gaming, entertainment and hospitality facilities in British Columbia, Ontario, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Washington State. The Company has 17 gaming properties, which consists of casinos, including two with a four Diamond resort hotel, horse racetrack casinos and community gaming centres. A key element of Great Canadian's business model is its commitment to social responsibility. PROUD of our people, our business, our community is Great Canadian's brand that unifies the company's community, volunteering and social responsibility efforts. Under the PROUD program, Great Canadian annually invests over $2 million in our communities, and in 2014, over 1,200 charitable organizations were supported by Great Canadian. In each Canadian gaming jurisdiction, a significant portion of the gross gaming revenue from gaming facilities goes back directly to provincial governments for the purpose of supporting programs like healthcare, education and social services.
SOURCE Great Canadian Gaming Corporation - Media Relations
Image with caption: "Flamboro Downs (CNW Group/Great Canadian Gaming Corporation - Media Relations)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160108_C2494_PHOTO_EN_594533.jpg
Image with caption: "Georgian Downs (CNW Group/Great Canadian Gaming Corporation - Media Relations)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160108_C2494_PHOTO_EN_594535.jpg
Image with caption: "Hastings Racecourse (CNW Group/Great Canadian Gaming Corporation - Media Relations)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160108_C2494_PHOTO_EN_594537.jpg
Image with caption: "Elements Casino (CNW Group/Great Canadian Gaming Corporation - Media Relations)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160108_C2494_PHOTO_EN_594539.jpg
Sonja Mandic, Director, Media Relations and Social Responsibility, Great Canadian Gaming Corporation, 604.303.6169, [email protected]
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