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Govt mulls turning greyhound track into sports facility


The Macau government is considering turning the Macau Yat Yuen Canidrome greyhound track into a cultural, leisure, sports and education facility, local media reports.

In July 2016, the government gave Macau (Yat Yuen) Canidrome an ultimatum to either relocate or shut down its race track within two years, giving the operator until July 21, 2018 to relocate.

By October, the greyhound racing operator said it was still hoping to continue its dog racing activities but had not yet concluded a plan for its future.

The Canidrome, which is the region’s only greyhound race track saw a decline in profits of 82 percent to MOP 4.8 million (US$600,600) in 2015, according to the company’s year-end financial report.

It came under fire in July last year, with locals and experts calling for the closure of Macau Canidrome, saying it is outdated and unprofitable.

Responding to an enquiry from legislator Kwan Tsui Hang, Paulo Martins Chan, director of the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ), the government is aiming to develop the land into something that could improve the neighborhood’s offerings.

“The government’s basic direction is to develop the related land plot to improve the quality of life in the neighbourhood. [It is] considering modifying the land for culture and leisure, sports and education facilities, after the greyhound race track is moved from the plot,” said Chan, quoted by Macau Business.

Chan added that the government has noticed the increasing demand for sports facilities in the neighbourhood.

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