Harness Racing British Columbia (HRBC) recently released details for a proposed harness racing meet in the fall of 2026 at Osoyoos Desert Park, postponing the Town of Osoyoos decision to permanently close the complex.

According to a Kelowna news report on castanet.net, Town Council postponed making a decision on the demolition of the weathered Desert Park to a March 10 session, citing an upcoming meeting between the Desert Park Exhibition Society and HRBC that could impact operations and finances after a structural assessment of the building put required operational repairs in the $2 million range.

"There could be some potential infrastructure money from the province," Gerald Davis, Director, Community Services at Town of Osoyoos, was quoted as saying in the article. "Depending on how much we can do with what we have now, and that funding — if there was a way to meet the needs, not just for the Harness Racing B.C. or Desert Park Exhibition Society — but the community to have this facility use it — that would be a really good thing."

HRBC recently shared a Letter of Intent for a fall harness racing meet at Osoyoos Desert Park with its members, proposing an initial schedule consisting of 10-plus race days with racing two days per week for a period of five to six consecutive weeks.

According to the letter from HRBC President Kelly MacMillan, purses are expected to be very competitive with Alberta and will also include some stakes races. The letter also indicated that the barns are in good shape with about 100 stalls and an additional 50-plus new stalls planned for opening, plus reasonable accommodations in Osoyoos, located about 365 km east of the province's former racetrack Fraser Downs in Surrey.

(Standardbred Canada)