Just saw this …. not sure what happened to 2015 …
http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/story.html?id=2541535
Race City Motorsport Park
CALGARY – Race City will run for two more seasons and then shut down at its current location, after a tentative agreement was reached by its owner and the city.
“Basically it’s a compromise we proposed to them in December,” Race City owner Art MacKenzie said Tuesday morning. “It’s a shorter-term commitment from the city.
“It gave us some security and the ability to operate as a viable business, as opposed to paying a million dollars in rent, literally, so we can run economically for the next while.”
Late Monday night, city council approved a proposed settlement but details are to remain confidential until it is signed.
Race City and the city have been battling about the speedway’s southeast site following a dispute over its lease.
The track has occupied 64 hectares of city-owned land since 1985 and while the current lease expires this year, MacKenzie believed he had done the necessary work to extend it to 2015.
However, the city disputed that, arguing it needed the land back to prepare for the Shepard landfill expansion.
Last fall, in an 8-7 vote, council directed administration to go back to the table with MacKenzie to find a way for Race City to operate until 2015, despite being told it would cost the city $3 million because of additional work required on the site.
MacKenzie said the city wanted to hike the facility’s rent to more than $1 million from $37,000.
Tuesday MacKenzie said of the two-season deal, “I’m happy to be able to get some agreement. I can get on with the business of trying to run a business.”
He added he will also begin looking for a new location for Race City.
Ald. Ric McIver, who has championed the race track, said he can’t comment on details because the agreement isn’t finalized.
“Council did give instructions to administration to complete the deal that’s been negotiated,” he said. “There was strong support from council at this time. I’m optimistic we can conclude this in an amicable and successful way.”
MacKenzie said he expects to have the track open for racing in May.
kguttormson(AT)theherald.canwest.com
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