Canterbury Park temporarily suspends racing & casino operations
Minnesota-based Canterbury Park Racetrack and Card Casino announced on Friday (20 November) that it would temporarily close its doors in compliance with an executive order from Governor Tim Walz.
Walz ordered a four-week closure of dining and entertainment venues, effective 21 November, amid rising numbers of novel coronavirus (Covid-19) cases in the state.
The track has therefore suspended all of its card casino, simulcast and special events operations, lasting for a period of four weeks until Friday, December 18.
Canterbury Park said it was in active dialogue with state and local officials on efforts to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on its operations and the community. It has not suspended its real estate development operations, however.
Randy Sampson, the track’s president and chief executive, said that the health and well-being of staff and guests was of primary importance to the company.
“Our dedicated Canterbury family of employees is of utmost importance to us and we greatly appreciate their patience and support during the ongoing uncertainty caused by the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said.
“We will continue to communicate directly with our employees and the greater Canterbury Park community if we become aware of new developments and will post updated information on our website as it becomes available,” Sampson added.