Trois-Rivières – Some 600 people are expected this evening at the inauguration ceremony for Loto-Québec’s first gaming centre — the Trois Rivières Ludoplex — and the completely renovated hippodrome, both located on des Forges Boulevard. Those to be in attendance at the official ceremony include Mr. Alain Cousineau, President and Chief Executive Officer of Loto-Québec, the Honourable Paul J. Massicotte, Senator and owner of Attractions Hippiques, Mr. Yvon Vallières, Québec MNA for Richmond and Chair of the Government Caucus, along with the Mayor of Trois-Rivières, Mr. Yves Lévesque. The event will also play host to a number of other guests from the region’s political, business, tourism and equine sectors.

Starting at 5:00 p.m., guests will enjoy a convivial and entertaining evening in a festive and relaxed atmosphere. The festivities will also be open to the general public as of 8:00 p.m. Then, at 8:30 p.m., a special programme of exciting races will kick off at the hippodrome, complete with an appearance by Sylvain Cossette at 10:00 p.m. To cap off the evening, Stefie Shock will take to the microphone at 11:00 p.m. at the gaming centre's Ludo Bar.

Earlier in the day, during a tour of the new facilities, Loto-Québec's Senior Vice-President of New Strategic Initiatives, Mr. Simon Brodeur, underlined that “the Trois Rivières Ludoplex represents a choice destination with diverse game offerings and an environment in which strict control and awareness measures are a top priority.”

For his part, Senator Massicotte is delighted to be able to offer fans a unique concept that will serve to revitalize harness racing. At 8:25 p.m., Attractions Hippiques will take advantage of the festive occasion to announce the new name of its four hippodromes in Québec, including the one in Trois-Rivières.

A subsidiary of Loto-Québec created in 2005, the Société des salons de jeux du Québec's mission is to offer electronic-type games of chance to an adult public, while developing and effectively and responsibly operating controlled sites in which entertainment plays an integral part of the customer experience.

The owner of hippodromes in Montréal, Trois-Rivières, Québec City and Gatineau, Attractions Hippiques’ mission is to offer its clientele and partners honest and competitive equine entertainment fuelled by a desire to innovate and excel, while dealing respectfully and responsibly with racing enthusiasts, employees, horse professionals and, of course, the animals themselves.