According to an article on cyberpresse.ca, a new project is underway in Montreal to sell the vast grounds of the Hippodrome de Montréal, and, with the profits from the sale, build a new racetrack on contaminated land which the city possesses on the banks of the river, between the Victoria and Champlain bridges.

The project is being led by Marcel Lacaille, owner of Ferme Canaco, the biggest breeder in Quebec, and supported by Serge Savard, former Montréal Canadiens star, current horse owner and vice-president of a real estate company. An important number of horse racing people in the province are in favour of the proposal.

Lacaille, active member of the Société des propriétaires et éleveurs de chevaux Standardbred (Society of Standardbred owners and breeders), discussed the proposal with Claude Dauphin, chairman of the City’s executive committee, at a meeting this fall. He also spoke to the Deputy Minister of Finance, Jean Houde about the proposal.

"Mr. Lacaille thought that horse racing could be held during the summer,” Bernard Larin, spokesperson for the City’s Executive Committee, was quoted as saying during an interview this week. “These are the grounds of the former Adacport. Mr. Dauphin asked some questions. The City is not closed to the idea. We would like to see the project presented in its entirety.”

Click here to read the article in French.

Click here to read the article in English via web translation.

(With files from cyberpresse.ca)