Could Sudbury Downs race in 2015? The group behind resurrecting Kawartha Downs could answer that question later this year.
According to a report by CBC, the Ontario Racing Commission has contracted Greg Walling to assess avenues of viability for Sudbury Downs. Walling was the consultant that helped get live harness racing back to the Peterborough area in 2014.
"Sudbury Downs has to be self-sustainable because it's so far off the beaten path from the other racetracks. Therefore, it has to be its own industry," Walling told CBC.
The final report from Walling would need to be in the ORC's hands by December 2014, with a goal of race dates in Spring 2015.
"The challenge will be ensuring there's enough horses to race," continued Walling. "If people are going to invest in horses again in the Sudbury area, we have to create a stable business environment and long-term plan."
Sudbury did not race in 2014, with its last card of live harness racing taking place almost one year ago today -- October 13, 2013.