News out of Prince Edward Island indicates that harness racing could potentially be part of a multi-million dollar event centre that has been proposed for Charlottetown.

According to an article by The Guardian, Charlottetown is examining a proposal by a city council-appointed task force that has recommended the erection of a multi-use centre that could feature sporting and general events.

In speaking with The Guardian, Charlottetown Mayor Clifford Lee has said that City of Charlottetown’s administration has started to have preliminary discussions about the idea with potential funding partners in the community – partners which, according to Mayor Lee, could include the racing industry.

“What council has said is we have designated our administration to begin the process of having discussions with possible funding partners in the community,” Mayor Lee said.

“Those funding partners would include the other two levels of government, they would include Atlantic Lottery, they would include the harness racing industry, all of the people we believe might have an interest.”

Charlottetown Mayor Clifford Lee (Photo courtesy Dave Stewart)

In its recommendation, the task force has said that the 5,000-seat facility should feature ices rinks – at least one of which would be the size of a National Hockey League surface – and be able to accommodate major national events and both regional sporting and non-sporting events.

In The Guardian article, Mayor Lee made it clear that the city is just having discussions in regard to the endeavour at this point.

“I don’t want anyone to think this report was taken and shelved because it’s not,” he said. “The exact opposite is happening. (I also) don’t want anyone making the assumption that this is happening. Council is saying, ‘let’s now see who’s out there with money that might be interested in a partnership in this project.’”

(With files from The Guardian)