“I think right now the environment is such that all the vested parties working under a very collaborative spirit and the timing specifically is more conducive to having a facility erected here in the Truro area.”

Millbrook First Nation and Harness Racing Nova Scotia are teaming up to try bring a new gaming complex, that would include a new harness racing facility, to Truro, Nova Scotia.

Walter Deagle, Technology Advisor for the Millbrook First Nation, Director of Business Development for Millbrook Technologies Ltd. and harness racing fan and participant says the time is right for this kind of project in the Truro area.

“Right now I think the economy in Nova Scotia is looking to better days. We have had several very significant announcements here in the province, we have two major initiatives - one being the ship building contract awarded to Irving, we have a major hydro project coming. There is an air of optimism and newfound opportunity here in the province of Nova Scotia.”

Lloyd Johnson, Senior Councillor of the Millbrook First Nation, says they plan to replace the old track, not build a separate track.

“Racing people are looking for us to put this through, we are open to it and on the First Nation we want to develop our power centre as a destination spot and we are in the works of building a new hotel there.”

Deagle told Trot Radio’s Norm Borg that right now the plans call for a five-eighths mile track and a parking lot that can fit 1,300 cars. He said this development would affect all areas of the industry.

“There is a significant, direct impact on the racing level between the horsemen, those who are actively engaged in employment the breeders, the suppliers, and I think what has been, to a degree overlooked, is the very significant impact on those industries that supply the harness racing industry. The agricultural component, the transportation, and tourism the gas stations the restaurants, so the spin offs are worth millions and millions dollars ”

Deagle also said that they have not yet encountered any obstacles that they haven’t been able to overcome and they are getting plenty of feedback from the area horsepeople.

“I know that everybody would like to have things done yesterday but this is a very significant initiative, very significant endeavor, but we are ploughing through it one day at a time, one week at a time, one roadblock at a time.”

To hear the full interview with Borg, Deagle and Johnson, click the play button below.

Episode 251 – A New Racing Facility for Truro?

Audio Format: MP3 audio

Host: Norm Borg

Please note that the opinions expressed in the featured interview are those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect Rideau Carleton Raceway and/or Standardbred Canada.

(Photo credit: Kyle Burton)