Horsemen, park reach three-year contract

CHESTER - A three-year contract agreement was signed Tuesday between Mountaineer Park Inc. and the Mountaineer Horsemen's Benevolent Protection Association.

According to an e-mailed news release from Tamara Pettit, public relations director at Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort, the contract was lauded by the Hancock County Commission as "a result of both Mountaineer management and the HBPA working toward a resolution that is an economic win-win for Hancock County and the state of West Virginia."

The West Virginia Racing Commission approved a 210-day schedule with live racing conducted from March through December in 2010. During the months of January and February, there will be training four days per week.

"Mountaineer is pleased to have come to agreement with the HBPA," Rose Mary Williams, Mountaineer's director of racing, said in the news release. "Live thoroughbred racing has been an integral part of Mountaineer's history since it opened its doors as Waterford Park in 1953 and continuing to provide a quality racing product is an important part of our mission."

"The HBPA looks forward to working together with Mountaineer to promote racing in the future," said Rembrandt Wright, HBPA president.

Speaking on behalf of his fellow commissioners, Dan Greathouse and Jeff Davis, Commissioner Mike Swartzmiller praised the diligence of both Mountaineer management and that of the HBPA in bringing the agreement to a conclusion.

"Hancock County has a history of both workers and management coming together for the good of the economy and the residents of this county," he said.