Marquis Downs in Saskatoon set for destruction
In the heart of Saskatoon, a significant change could be on the horizon for the Marquis Downs, a historic horse racing track that has been a staple of the city since 1969. The report before the city's planning committee states that horse racing is no longer occurring at Marquis Downs, and the buildings, including the track, grandstand, and horse barns, are past their serviceable life.
Prairieland Park Corporation is seeking approval from city council for the demolition of Marquis Downs. The demolition is proposed for the development of a gravel parking lot, a significant departure from the ambitious plans that surfaced just a couple of years ago.
In 2021, a group called Living Sky Sports and Entertainment considered Marquis Downs as the future home of a Canadian Premier League soccer team. The group revealed plans for a new $28 million stadium for the soccer team, a move that would have breathed new life into the aging facilities. However, the bid for the soccer team fizzled out by 2023, due to increased costs of redeveloping the site and legal squabbles among the partners.
The cancellation of the season at Marquis Downs in 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and its never-full reopening, further compounded the financial difficulties faced by the horse racing track.
The search results do not contain information about who initiated the plan to demolish the remaining Marquis Downs or when the city council will make a decision on it. However, the planning, development and community services committee will discuss the proposal for the demolition at its next meeting, scheduled for Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. in city council chambers.
The land that was initially intended for the soccer stadium now seems destined for a much less ambitious use. The fate of Marquis Downs hangs in the balance, and the city of Saskatoon waits to see what the future holds for this historic site.
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