OUTGOING general manager of Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Limited (SVREL) Lorna Gooden says the organisation is well-positioned for further growth in 2023 once the current measures and plans are fully implemented and further maintained.

“SVREL is on a positive trajectory,” said Gooden. “Based on the current performance, and if the plans which are in place materialise, this trajectory should continue into 2023 and beyond,” she said.

Gooden, who served as SVREL general manager since May 2019, resigned from the post last month.

She shared that under her watch SVREL made significant improvements to the facility since taking over operations of the Gregory Park-based track more than five years ago. Following a programme of upgrading work, the facility is now rated as one of the best racetracks in the region.

“As you know, there have been significant upgrades and improvements [and] it [Caymanas Park] is poised to be the horseracing capital of the Caribbean and even in the Western Hemisphere,” Gooden boasted. “There has been the installation of the state-of-the-art digital screen which replaced the old tote board — which has taken the park into First World operations,” she added.

Gooden said the recent inauguration of a solar-powered system remains a proud achievement of the racetrack.

“There has been the installation and phase one launch of the solar project. This is a major milestone and project for Caymanas Park and the group,” she pointed out.

“The company will in the future, after the repayment of the capital outlay, benefit from a reduction in its energy/electricity costs. As a matter of fact these two projects at Caymanas Park were just nominated for Engineering Project of the Year by the Jamaica Institute of Engineers,” Gooden went on.

She underscored the significance in the improvement to water supplies at the facility as well as the other areas of the track.

“We improved the existing storage tanks because water is vital to the operations… vital for the well-being of the equine stock and the proper maintenance of the track. To further bolster this we constructed a new well and are in the process of finalising the installation of the storage tank for that as well,” Gooden informed.

“The chairman and the management team, as well as the board and the parent company, are all committed to the success of the operations. I am sure that you will continue to see and hear about these improvements,” she expressed.

Despite horseracing being a male-dominated sport Gooden said she is very proud of her achievements with the gaming company.

“I believe that my tenure speaks for itself. I remember when I accepted the position someone asked me if I was really going to take up the role and commented that I was brave,” she recalled.

“I believe I bravely, and effectively, navigated through the many challenges and obstacles along the ‘track’ of the last three-and-a-half years and will be leaving it on the right track — the Supreme track,” she said.

“As an example, during the height of the pandemic I completed my law degree whilst at the helm — a degree which I started when I was the corporate secretary of the group. I ended 2020 undergoing a thyroidectomy, which a lot of persons did not or may not know about; I still steadfastly undertook my stewardship and leadership of the team, continuing the positive path into 2021 and 2022,” Gooden shared.

She added: “I am known to be tough, fearless and extremely driven. However, my decision to step away was not about any professional or academic pursuit; this was based purely on personal reasons, underpinned by the need to, at this time after so many years, take some time for me.”