Harness racing group mounts campaign to 'seize' control of Fredericton Exhibition Grounds

Horse Racing New Brunswick is looking for a new venue. The group is facing the end of its lease at Exhibition Park Raceway in Saint John. Fredericton's mayor is not happy about the plan to develop housing on the Exhibition Grounds.

There has been no horse racing in Fredericton since 2016. The harness racing group had a legal dispute with NBEx and its lease was not renewed. NBex has a long-term lease for the Exhibition Grounds from the city, expiring in 2032. It is planning to build a school, a recreation centre and the exhibition on the site. This would clash with the development of onsite housing. The board of NB exxpor wants to stack the membership of the board with people who would approve of holding at least a few race days at the Frederica Exhibition grounds next season and in the coming years.

Miles is a board member of Horse Racing New Brunswick. He is urging members to buy $20 memberships in Agricultural Society 34 to have voting rights for the next board election. The deadline to join is Dec. 30 at noon. About 80 new members have signed up in the past year. The board passed a motion several years ago to open membership provincewide. It's not clear whether a pro-horse-racing board would be able to bring horse racing back to Fredericton.

The housing plan for Fredericton Exhibition Grounds is secured. The secondary municipal plan does not include harness racing as a permitted activity on the property. Mayor Rogers offered to meet with Horse Racing N.B. to help identify areas outside the city for a possible track.

Harness racing group wants to take over Fredericton Exhibition Grounds. They are looking for a partner in Nova Scotia or Prince Edward Island. Red Shores Racing in P.E.I. is open to talking.