In 60 days, the future of horse racing in the Calgary area will become much clearer after some timelines were set regarding the United Horsemen of Alberta's CrossIron Mills project in Balzac
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During a meeting and presentation by Max Gibb of UHA on Thursday night at the Northlands Park's Sky Paddock in Edmonton, many of the province's horsemen and women showed up to get more detailed information and have their questions answered.
"There was a good turnout from both breeds," Trot Insider learned from Fred Gillis, Racing Manager for the Alberta Standardbred Horse Association. "People learned a lot."
UHA explained their financing situation and set a deadline of July 15 to seek additional funding to the tune of around $80 million, and according to Gillis "they they were pretty open on that part of it."
While the development itself has scaled back from its original state, the track itself will not change.
"They're scaling back the number of barns to six and changing the layout of the facility itself from a multi-level building to just one level," continued Gillis, "but the track is staying the same."
And if all goes according to plan, the project will be completed by April 2010.
"The way I see it, the horsemen have waited four years for this, they can wait another 60 days," Gillis stated.
One other crucial piece of news will come in 60 days. Horse Racing Alberta's Licensing Committee Chair Jim McFadden explained that HRA would be reviewing the license granted to UHA and there are no guarantees that it would be renewed.
"All in all, there was a good feeling in the room," said Gillis. "Everyone there wants it to go."
Trot Insider will continue to follow this story, awaiting an official release from UHA on the meeting.