Horse Racing Alberta announced late last week that it had received seven Expressions of Interest in regard to the owning and operating of a racetrack in the Edmonton area. According to a report in the mainstream media, one of the entities that submitted an EOI conducted live horse racing decades ago.
An item by Global News has broken the news that the entity in question is the Enoch Cree Nation, which conducted live Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred racing at Enoch Park in the 1970s and ‘80s. The deadline for EOI submissions was Thursday, May 19.
The Global News article has cited the Enoch Cree Nation as saying that it is intending to make a strong case for bringing ‘A’ track racing to Enoch Park. The Enoch Cree Nation has also state that it meets all of the minimum criteria to bring live racing to Enoch Park. Some of HRA’s minimum requirements include the ability for a track to be able to host 100 days of live Standardbred and Thoroughbred racing.
A notice from HRA issued Friday states seven (7) Expressions of Interest were submitted. An independent committee will now review those Expressions of Interests and will determine applicants to move to the Request for Proposal Stage. The initial call from HRA indicated those parties would be notified within 30 days.
It was a little over three months ago that Northlands announced it would not be hosting live horse racing past 2016, prompting the need for a new racetrack in the Edmonton area.
The Global News piece has quoted Chief Billy Morin as saying that Enoch Cree Nation is excited about the idea of being able to introduce live racing into its fold.
“The Enoch Cree have a long history with horse racing,” Chief Morin was quoted as saying. “The opportunity to add a Class ‘A’ track to our entertainment facility is exciting for us, and also would be a wonderful benefit for our guests all around the Edmonton area and beyond who come here for fun and entertainment.”
The Enoch Cree Nation is a First Nations band that controls two reserves in Alberta, one of which is situated on the western edge of Edmonton. In 2006 they opened the River Cree Resort & Casino, a destination casino that features approximately 1,000 slots, 32 table games and 12 poker tables. The complex also boasts a 249-room hotel, 20,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, three premium restaurants, two bars, two NHL-size rinks with year-round league play, and a 1,800-seat flex-space facility.
(With files from Global News)
Proposed new track: If you
Proposed new track:
If you are the chosen ones to do this, you have a wonderful piece of land just to the south of the existing casino, that you could build a mile track with a 7/8 turf course inside..... Just sayin'
great news for alberta racing
great news for alberta racing industry as a strong future partner for live racing shows a intent to continue horse racing that employs thousands in the business