An application to demolish Windsor Raceway’s main building is before the city’s building department. It comes nearly three years to the day that the slots at the track were closed and dozens of employees laid off. City officials say they’ve been approving demolition permits since last October for parts of the former racetrack and casino. Former employee Jennifer Reny still finds it difficult to talk about the raceway closure. Yeah, it was devastating. Like I have kids, so very devastating,” she says. "It's been a hard road for myself and for a lot of people that used to work there. I don't know where everybody is now, but I did go back to school and I graduated from college. But I haven't found a job in my field yet." The slots closed at the end of April in 2012. About 150 people lost their jobs. The demolition application would see nearly all of the property cleared of standing structures. "I just think it's a travesty to tear down a part of our history,” Reny says. Rubble from the paddock area and horse stables was already being hauled away by Jones Construction Tuesday. "Over the last six months the raceway has been applying for permits and we've been issuing permits for demolition for their...buildings and recently they've applied for the demolition of the grandstand,” says Rob Vani, the city’s inspections manager. Approval for the remaining demolition applications can take anywhere from two to six weeks. Vani says he would expect the wrecking ball to continue as soon as permits are granted. "My assumption is with these types of matters is that they would want to initiative a demolition as soon as the permits ready for insurance on it." Windsor Raceway president Pat Soulliere did not return calls or e-mails for comment Tuesday.
