THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 16, 1994 TAG: 9410150091
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 13 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Cover Story
LENGTH: Medium: 81 lines
It had been a long day.
But Churchill Downs president Thomas H. Meeker made time for one more stop Wednesday night at the Virginia Marine Science Museum, where he said goodbye and thank you to about 30 friends and supporters.
With little fanfare, and absent the television cameras and microphones, the event began relatively subdued with faint smiles but no tears. After a few short unrehearsed speeches, the mood grew cheerier as fellowship, then later laughter, rang out from every corner.
Here's what a few of those gathered had to say:
JAMES SPORE, city manager: ``I was fine until about 9:45 this morning. Driving back from Richmond, I rolled up the windows in the car and did a primal scream for two hours. . . .
``It is a disappointment because we thought we certainly had the best application, encompassing the best operator and the best location. We've got the hospitality and tourist industry already in place here, along with the military, that really would have made the track go, and the site up in New Kent is literally out in the middle of nowhere - you couldn't buy a milkshake within 5 miles of that site. And I think it's going to take a pretty healthy investment to make that a viable site if, if it is, in fact, viable at all. So, I think it's a real mistake. . . .
``When we formed this partnership, I said, you know I felt like we had just done a deal with the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Yankees, you know, they were coming to Virginia, and we felt, like the vice mayor said, we had far and away the best application, and the best management company in the world for this business.
``So we went in - I was very confident this morning, kept reassuring (Public Information Director) Pam (Lingle) on the way up, `Don't worry, it's no problem, we've got this thing in the bag.' But I think we can be proud of the application we put together, and the partnership that we put together.''
WILL SESSOMS JR., vice mayor: ``I'll just say, I'm embarrassed for the commonwealth, a little bit, to be real honest with you. It's one thing to say `no' to Virginia Beach, but to say `no' to Churchill Downs, I think, is a major mistake.
``I can't begin to tell you what wonderful people we dealt with. The wonderful deal we put together - it was an experience and an education I'll never forget.''
PAUL LANTEIGNE, former city councilman: ``It's a disappointment, but I think one of the things we've benefited from, particularly with the Churchill deal, is the staff has grown. This is one of the biggest deals the city ever tried to put together. They did an excellent job. And the next time a big deal comes along, they'll be that much more advanced.
``I think what's uncanny is that we are even in the competition for those projects, when many places are not. That's the thing we have to keep focused on. We are in the game and one of these times we're going to win.''
ROBERT CLYBURN, former city councilman: ``I really am disappointed. I think it would have meant so much to this community, particularly the agribusiness, and the spinoffs that would have been here that are not going to be up in New Kent County.
``I don't want to sound all sour grapes, but the idea of conventions coming here, and staying an extra day for the races, and having that additional thing to do, an incentive to come, would be an excitement. This is a destination in itself, and New Kent is not. It's just off the road. . . .
``Virginia Beach's obviously got a lot of good things going for it. I would like to see us continue with some entertainment ventures here, and have some more things for people to do that come here on vacation.'' MEMO: Compiled by correspondent Greg Goldfarb.
ILLUSTRATION: Photo by L. TODD SPENCER
Thomas Meeker thanks supporters of the track at a gathering at the
Virginia Marine Science Museum.
KEYWORDS: HORSE RACING
by CNB