Wonderland and Suffolk go for Olympic gold

REVERE – Show RoseLee Vincent a map of Revere, including its sandy beachfront and Wonderland and Suffolk Downs racetrack sites, and the state legislator sees interlocking Olympic rings.Vincent thinks America?s first public beach is an ideal site for Olympic volleyball, and she said the same energy and community focus aimed at bringing a casino to Suffolk Downs last year can be rechanneled into making the city?s two racetracks satellite venues for the 2024 summer Olympics.?I think it?s a fabulous idea. We were so focused on the casino for so long, we got fixated. Now, we are starting to think about other ideas, and the Olympics would be an opportunity to get something going there,” Vincent said.With Boston making a bid to host the games, Vincent said it makes sense to consider sites outside the city to share in hosting different competitions. Suffolk Downs Chief Operating Officer Chip Tuttle on Monday said track officials are “open to possibilities” to include Suffolk and the Wonderland Greyhound Park sites in visions for what a 2024 Boston Olympics could look like.?We?re very supportive of the idea of bringing the Olympics to the area. We haven?t had discussions about either site,” Tuttle said.Suffolk Downs and casino partner Mohegan Sun lost a bid to secure a state resort casino license last fall. The state Gaming Commission?s rejection seemingly spelled the end for live horse racing at the track, but Suffolk principals and local horsemen announced in February a lease agreement for 2015 and 2016 that would allow the horsemen to conduct their own meet at Suffolk Downs.A 2008 ballot referendum banning greyhound racing doomed Wonderland to closure, but Vincent said the track sites offer hotel construction opportunities and public transit access that she said will figure into Olympic site assessments.?It would be a great opportunity to get something going there,” she said.After working for 25 years as a legislative aide to former state Rep. William Reinstein and his daughter, former Rep. Kathi-Anne Reinstein, Vincent won a special election to the Massachusetts House last April and was reelected in November by voters in Revere, Saugus (precincts 3 and 10) and Chelsea (four precincts).She pushed following her reelection for a seat on the Legislature?s Economic Development Committee and received the support of House Speaker Robert DeLeo, who also represents Revere.She said the committee seat is a strategic place from which she can advocate for Revere?s economic resurgence, including a possible Olympic-size jumpstart.?I?ll be listening and learning,” she said.Revere has its share of summer Olympic history with city native Leo Lermond running in the 5,000 meters at the 1928 Amsterdam games.