Injuries Prompt Substantial Overhaul Of Greyhound Track

After an abundance of greyhound injuries the Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack will be ending races on a temporary bases to refurbish the 30 year old track.

Since May an “inordinate number of injuries” has caused track officials to enlist the help of a former racing director, company experts and industry consultants to try and remedy the situation after previous attempts to adjust conditions including sloping, soil composition, and watering failed.

As a result of the consultations the West Virginia dog track has decided to close live racing operations for two weeks and undergo a “substantial overhaul” to make racing safer for the dogs.

“The closure will impact our revenues and will require a significant capital investment, but we need to step up and do the right thing.”  said General Manager Jim Simms.

The two phase project will involve resurfacing the racetrack and could cost Wheeling Island between $250,000 to as much as $400,000.

Phase one will begin on Wednesday and Phase two is scheduled to begin on September 7.

Live racing at the track will return as soon as officials deem the track safe, in the meantime Simms says that simulcast betting will not be affected.