This following missive went out on various platforms yesterday to members of the Auckland Trotting Club foreshadowing a challenge to the President of the club that runs Alexandra Park and his board.
The issues behind it are those we told you about in our story in June, but to reduce them to a few words it is about the inevitability of the club being forced to sell the Pukekohe training centre, dormant sections of Alex Park, and perhaps even the whole box and dice. And the reasons behind it.
We will tell you more about the proposed solution in a second.
Members of the Auckland Trotting Club, Your club is at the crossroads and, drowning in debt, it is critical that the right decisions are made to secure the future of Alexandra Park.
Alexandra Park was once the envy of harness clubs throughout New Zealand, totally freehold and with an annual income of $5-6 million dollars a year outside racing. Today the club is reeling from a loss of more than $90 million from the apartment developments and continues to operate only after borrowing hundreds of millions of dollars. Betting turnover at Alexandra Park has plummeted, which means we have to heavily subsidise our racing, and we have lost a number of prime dates.
A number of long-standing members, concerned at the culture and direction which the ATC has adopted in recent years, are now pushing for a change at the helm. We have persuaded experienced advocate Gilbert Myles to stand for the presidency of the club, particularly because of our concerns over the selling of land to service the debt.
Pukekohe trainers need job security and are understandably concerned at the mortgage held over Franklin Park and the prospect of it being sold. Other parcels of land at Alexandra Park should not be sold until they have been exposed to the open market so their true value can be assessed, which means advertising in major newspapers and other media. Government Ministers have stated it is common for Auckland land to sell at 25% above its last valuation.
Members’ rights have been gradually eroded in the last decade but you, along with owners, trainers and punters who have invested in the industry, should be regularly consulted on these issues so we have a united front. At the very least, members should be signing off on the vital decisions ahead, not just told after the fact as in the past. Members should also be the ones who elect all Board members other then the two outside directors appointed for their commercial expertise.
The chronic mismanagement of the club must stop and, with more than three decades of experience in the industry, as an administrator and owner, we believe Gilbert Myles has the tools to find the best path forward. He has served harness racing in many capacities, a past Vice-President of the club, and member of the Interdominion Council and New Zealand Racing Board. He is currently still contributing as President of the Noel Taylor New Zealand Trotting Hall of Fame which operates the widely renowned museum at Alexandra Park.
Gilbert Myles does not wish to be paid director’s fees or any other remuneration, as he believes the club is not in a position to face further costs.
We should all support Gilbert in his bid to engage a forensic auditor, at no cost to the club, to go through all the expenses for the last seven years to establish how the club’s huge debt has evolved. He says this is not intended to apportion blame but, rather, to bring some sense of understanding so we can move forward. Gilbert says the club must reduce its costs and he stated at Bruce Carter’s final AGM as President that one key area was the many millions of dollars of legal expenses, which the ATC cannot afford.
As a former Member of Parliament he wants to meet with the Minister of Racing to see if his office can be of assistance to ensure the future of harness racing in the North Island.
Harness racing can thrive again at Auckland and when it does Gilbert wants the reinstatement of a special area for you, the members, where you can enjoy the spectacle with well deserved concessions.
We should all be getting in behind this change of leadership and urge you to circulate this plea to as many members as you can before the annual general meeting.
Authorised by Terry Quinn, Orakei- on behalf of concerned ATC members.