MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

FIG secures future of the historic Stanley Racecourse

Islanders love their horses and horseraces

The Falkland Islands historic Stanley Racecourse is now totally government owned thus securing the whole area for recreational purposes at least for the next fifteen years. The racecourse considered a Falklands' heritage is one of the main annual attractions for local residents particularly over Christmas and New Year

The Falkland Islands Government (FIG) and the Falkland Islands Company Ltd (FIC) announced this week they had reached an agreement on a land exchange operation. In exchange for the FIC-owned section of the Racecourse and adjacent paddock (approximately 21.4 acres) FIG has agreed to convey to FIC two parcels of land measuring approximately 23.7 acres. One parcel of land is situated on the By-Pass Road near to and west of the FIPASS junction and the other is situated on the north side of the By-Pass Road adjacent to the MPA Road near Sapper Hill. As part of the arrangement FIG has agreed not to develop the Racecourse area for a period of 15 years. Additionally, FIG has agreed to provide to FIC grants for the provision of infrastructure in accordance with the recently agreed housing strategy if FIC develop any of the land they will acquire for housing. The Falklands Executive Council has agreed that when acquired the west end of the Racecourse should be combined with the existing Government-owned part in a single lease to the Stanley Sports Association. The Government anticipated it will be happy to work with the Association to consider future developments at the site for recreational purposes. David Hudd Chairman of Falkland Islands Holdings plc said "I am delighted that we have been able to secure the future of the Racecourse which is such an important part of the Falklands heritage." Owen Summers, chairman of the Stanley Sports Association, informed of the agreement said he was "very happy that the Racecourse has been secured for the future".