Harness Racing B.C. will rally Sept. 4 at Cloverdale Fairgrounds to protest Fraser Downs’ closure, calling for fairness, jobs, and transparency.
Rally Planned to Fight Fraser Downs Harness Racing Closure
A Community in Crisis
Harness Racing British Columbia (HRBC) is mobilizing industry workers, horse owners, and supporters to protest the sudden closure of Fraser Downs racetrack. The rally is scheduled for September 4 at the Cloverdale Fairgrounds, just weeks after the City of Surrey terminated the lease.
Rally Set for Cloverdale
The demonstration will take place from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Agriplex parking lot. Protesters plan to march past Elements Casino and finish at Greenaway Park, located at the southeast corner of the Fairgrounds. HRBC says the event will highlight the impact on workers, horses, and Cloverdale’s racing tradition.
Industry Leaders Speak Out
Kelly MacMillan, president of HRBC, described the closure as “sudden and unjustified.” He accused the City of Surrey of displacing families, threatening horse welfare, and undermining decades of harness racing in the province. “Fraser Downs is worth fighting for,” MacMillan said, urging residents to join the rally.
The Decision to Close
Great Canadian Entertainment (GCE), operator of Elements Casino and Fraser Downs, announced the shutdown on August 15. The City of Surrey exercised its “lease recapture rights,” reclaiming the racetrack, stabling facilities, and backstretch. The closure came less than three weeks before the scheduled fall racing meet.
City’s Redevelopment Plans
Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke defended the move, stating the lease termination was necessary to begin redevelopment of the Cloverdale Fairgrounds. The city’s vision includes new housing, public spaces, and a revitalized town centre, designed to complement the future Cloverdale hospital and cancer centre.
Pushback and Public Support
The announcement blindsided the racing community. HRBC has appealed to local MLAs and launched a petition to save the track, which has already drawn nearly 6,000 signatures. MacMillan says the rally will demand accountability, transparency, and protection for an industry that has been part of Cloverdale since 1976.
This article is original and written specifically for Surreyspeak.com
