Thursday, April 26, 2012

A Wichita organization is racing to Topeka hoping to bring some luck to a closed race track.

Wichita Wins is asking lawmakers to consider a bill that would allow limited electronic gaming at Greyhound Park. The organization claims if the legislation passes, the developer will spend $100 million in private dollars on creating an entertainment facility.

Reopening the park will also create more than 500 jobs in Sedgwick County and bring in state and local tax revenue, leaders said.

The group left from Greyhound Park Thursday morning to meet with state legislators. Dozens of people boarded buses for the trip.

"I plan on going up there and telling Gov. Sam Brownback that we are bringing him his wish," said one supporter. He said the group promotes bringing jobs to Kansas.

But some lawmakers don't share Wichita Wins' vision.

"I think the people of Wichita have already voted on that and I don't think it's going to reopen again," said Rep. JoAnn Pottorff.

Gov. Brownback said he doesn't expect the measure to pass this year.

"We just don't have a lot of time left in this session," said Brownback.

If lawmakers approve the bill, Wichita's Greyhound Park, along with closed parks in Eureka and Kansas City, would reopen.