Surrey Racetrack Closure Sparks Anger and Uncertainty

The sudden shutdown of Fraser Downs Racetrack in Cloverdale has shocked B.C.’s harness racing community. Trainers and workers say they were given no warning after Surrey terminated the track’s lease to make way for redevelopment plans. Many fear the closure will devastate their livelihoods and erase decades of racing tradition. While city officials argue the land is needed for housing, recreation, and cultural projects, horse owners say years of investment have been lost. Animal welfare groups, however, welcome the closure as part of a wider shift away from horse racing.