“We at SVREL want Caymanas Park to become the bingo capital of Jamaica.” That was the sentiment expressed by Michael Bernard, executive chairman of Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Limited (SVREL), in a recent interview with The Supreme Racing Guide. SVREL is the sole promoter of horse racing in Jamaica.

Bernard explained that a number of non-racing initiatives are being planned to make better use of the facilities at Caymanas Park in order to earn additional revenue to ensure the viability of the promoting company.

“Yes, there are a number of initiatives that we are currently exploring. The first of these will unfold next month with the staging of attractive bingo games, more than likely on a Friday night in the stands at Caymanas Park.

“We are well aware that bingo is a very popular pastime for many Jamaicans, and we are going to tap into that bingo market to earn more for the company and to support our primary activity which, of course, is horse racing,” Bernard revealed.

The SVREL executive chairman, while not divulging the other initiatives the company is exploring, made reference to the underutilisation of the Caymanas Park plant and its vast spread of approximately 198 acres.

“Let us look at a typical week of activities at Caymanas Park. From Sunday to Saturday in the mornings between 5:00 am and 9:00 am there are the exercise periods, after which the racetrack in maintained. Then there is always racing on Saturdays and sometimes on Wednesdays, and this year we are going have racing on selected Sundays. We have simulcast on a daily basis which for sure will continue even when other activities are planned.

“It is therefore obvious that more can be done with the facilities to earn more money. The bingo games are going to be our first major effort in this direction. Details of the proposed bingo game will be announced shortly, and even from now I am encouraging all lovers of bingo and those who just want a night out to support this venture,” Bernard said.