"I think the days of having a racetrack simply for racing are gone by. We have to merge and find ways of giving a real complete entertainment package - that's really a big part of this."
On today's episode of Trot Radio, Norm Borg finds out more about the new racetrack and facility planned for the Saint John market. Jeff Malloy, Executive Director of Harness Racing New Brunswick emphasized that this development will not be a racino.
"It will be a multi-use facility, we're really going to concentrate on promoting the racing and also other equine breeds, design the facility so that it's usable for other events and festivals."
While the project is still at the development phase, Matt Tomah of Woodstock First Nations Economic Development Corp. feels that the partnership between his group and Harness Racing New Brunswick will truly be synergistic.
"One of the things Woodstock First Nations Economic Development was looking is being in a tourist market with the cruise ship industry in Saint John booming, the completion of the new Trans-Canada highway coming from Maine, we see Saint John as a great market and opportunity for us to be in a better tourism area," said Tomah.
According to Malloy, the next step is to meet with government officials and stakeholders starting with design.
"We're really pushing hard and aggressively to try to get our plans in place so we can get started as soon as possible."
Malloy notes that the provincial government has deep roots in agriculture, which should benefit the harness racing industry and this project.
"Our province has a deep agriculture history. Our Premier is agriculture-based, he is from the Woodstock area, Woodstock First Nations Economic Development Corp. has been directed to partner with industry and business and think outside the box."
This project, according to Malloy and Tomah, will not require any government funding and thus doesn't need any bureaucratic approval. To hear more about the project, click the play button below.
Episode 275 – Jeff Malloy and Matt Tomah on the new racetrack project planned for New Brunswick
Audio Format: MP3 audio
Host: Norm Borg