Woodbine barn opening delayed

ETOBICOKE Ontario - The Woodbine backstretch area will not reopen until Feb. 8, a week later than originally scheduled, because of delays in the off-season barn renovation program.

The renovations, undertaken in the wake of a fire that killed 32 horses here Aug. 4, include new wiring and lighting for 24 existing barns.

Barn 1, the first barn being renovated, is scheduled to be ready

Feb. 28. Work also has begun on rebuilding Barns 7 and 7A, which were destroyed by the fire. That project is scheduled to be completed April 1. A new barn, to be known as Barn 24, is tentatively scheduled to be built by May 1.

The training track and sand ring are scheduled to open Feb. 9, and the 167-day Woodbine meet is scheduled to begin March 22.