Australian racecourse cleared for use for events at World Youth Day

Published: 2007-11-15

SYDNEY, Australia (CNS) -- A dispute that threatened the use of Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney as a World Youth Day venue has been resolved with the announcement that the Australian and New South Wales governments will disperse a $30 million (US$26.7 million) taxpayer-funded compensation package to the affected parties. Under the terms of the agreement announced Nov. 15, an additional $10 million (US$8.9 million) will be set aside in a contingency fund in case the racecourse is so trashed that it cannot be used for the 2008 racing carnival, which this year had to be canceled due to the outbreak of the highly contagious equine influenza. The 700 thoroughbred horses and their trainers at Randwick will be relocated to Warwick Farm and Rosehill racecourses in western Sydney for a 10-week period to coincide with the preparation and staging of the World Youth Day vigil and closing Mass at Randwick July 19-20. Up to half a million people are expected to attend the closing Mass, which will be celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI.

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