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Horse racing could be making a return to Saskatchewan, since Moosomin First Nation is committed to the Moosomin Downs project.
That was apparent in a recent interview with 650 CKOM, where Moosomin Chief Brad Swiftwolfe and Rob Woods, CEO of the project spoke of its early-stage developments.
“We’ve always been doers and not just sayers,” said Chief Swiftwolfe Thursday. “We’re committed to this project and we want to see it through.”
As of Thursday, Woods said the group is looking at development in the area, which is located at Auction Mart Road and Highway 16.
Swiftwolfe described the 960-acre plot of land as right beside the ‘Welcome to Saskatoon’ sign, when you’re coming in from North Battleford on Highway 16.
Woods said they did have some delays due to the perimeter road, and are working on studies to get the third party interest moved.
There’s no technical location as it stands now, but they are working on the space in the 960-acre plot.
“We see this as being the anchor project with respect to attract investment, but also the infrastructure that we need for the project of this size,” Woods said.
“We have confidence that we’re going to be moving forward with this, as fast as we can,” Swiftwolfe added.
“I think it’s huge. A lot of First Nation people were employed at Marquis Downs. When the announcement of the closure came, where are those guys going to work? Where are the jockeys going to ride? For us, the development is basically a win-win for everybody.”
Woods said the group was given support by many, including the Saskatoon Tribal Council and Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs. He added that they’re ready to be the site of the future of horse racing in Saskatchewan.
“Not just the community of Saskatoon, but the horse racing community was somewhat blindsided by this,” he said. “We had to go through the political process that we need to with respect to ensuring the commitments that were made, will continue to be made.”
All assets from Prairieland Park’s Marquis Downs will be donated to the Moosomin Downs track.
