[MonctonRad]

Summerside nears deal with Atlantic Lotto for grandstand
MIKE CARSON
The Guardian

SUMMERSIDE — The city of Summerside is close to finalizing a deal with Atlantic Lotto to replace the deteriorating grandstand at Summerside Raceway.
Terry Murphy, chief administrative officer for the city, said the project has been moving ahead over the past few weeks.
“We’re at the final steps of reaching an agreement with Atlantic Lotto to build a new grandstand,” Murphy said Monday. “We’re working with the federal government to upgrade other facilities.”
The progress in the agreement comes as good news for the harness racing industry not only in Prince County, but for the Island and the Maritimes.
There had been fears the race track would be lost after the provincial government turned down a request for financial aid. The city was seeking an estimated $3 million to replace the grandstand and for other upgrades at the SRW.
Summerside Mayor Basil Stewart said the race track is an important cog in the municipality’s revenue as well as providing jobs and attracting tourists to the area. Stewart said the loss of the track would have shut down an industry that has been part of the social fabric of the area for more than a century.
Murphy said the city has been negotiating a lease agreement with Atlantic Lotto which would see it fund the new grandstand through rental fees.
Federal Fisheries Minister Gail Shea supported the renovations at the race track during her campaign in the riding of Egmont earlier this year. Both Shea and Prime Minister Stephen Harper made note of the conditions at the SRW and said they would look into it. Murphy said the city is looking to Ottawa to help with upgrades including replacing the paddock area, the stables and shipping barns.
The city’s image was also an issue. The area of the race track and Credit Union Place, the city’s $40-million wellness centre, will be used for the opening ceremonies of the 2009 Canada Games.