The Coaster’s Party Foul

Monday, Aug. 31, 2009 | I am Richard Rees, owner of the 7/11 store across the street from the Flower Fields at Carlsbad. For the past 3 years we have posted on our bulletin board the articles written by Helen and Richard Nielsen-Eckfield about the needed train stop at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Two years ago we even had a petition signed by our customers — sent to the 22nd Ag. District advocating both a temporary stop and the permanent stop. Other businesses did the same. Nothing came of it. On opening day many of my customers took the Coaster from nearby Poinsettia station to the race. Getting there worked okay if you did not mind the bus ride. But at the end of the races, the wait for a bus to get from the track back to the Solana station was over an hour for many of them. What was a wild and celebratory opening day, ended a downer. Do the math. An increased attendance by 2,000 – 5,000 per day, does what to the handle, and the food and beverage sales alone. I want to ride the train to the 2011 races!