Uncertainty Hanging Over Northlands Park

The future of thoroughbred horse racing in Edmonton is in the hands of the provincial government, as the current terms of the province’s Racing Industry Renewal Initiative expires on March 31. Industry officials are optimistic that an agreement with the government will be reached and that there will be live racing through the entire 2016 calendar year. However, the length of the new agreement and the amount of funding that the industry will receive is uncertain at press time. “We are in discussions with the Government of Alberta regarding the renewal of our memorandum of understanding with them,” said Shirley McClellan, chief executive officer of Horse Racing Alberta. “That’s a normal course of events when an agreement comes to a conclusion.” “We began harness racing at Century Downs on February 14, with thoroughbred racing at Northlands Park and the Rocky Mountain Turf Club set to begin in early May. We’re…