After nearly a decade-long hiatus, live harness racing will return to Saskatchewan's capital city on Sunday with the inaugural card at West Meadows
Raceway.
Nine races are slated for the new half-mile harness track, located about three kilometres west of the Regina International Airport on the Pinkie Road Highway. West Meadows Raceway was built on a budget of under $500,000 with all the money coming from people within the business.
"Shareholders wanting to see the industry grow here, and that was their opportunity," Grainger told Trot Radio's Norm Borg on how the track was funded. "We've been knocked back a few times, and thought this was do or die here."
The track, based on the configuration of the fabled half-mile over at the Delaware Country Fairgrounds, was constructed on farm land owned by Bill McNally, Grainger's father, who passed away a few months into the construction process. Sunday's first race has been named the McNally Memorial Pace.
Grainger notes that the feedback from the community has been tremendous.
"It's just been outstanding and more so as it's come to be. Now that it's actually happening there's been a remarkable amount of feedback on it and all of it positive."
To listen to the full interview with Borg and Grainger, click the play button below.
Episode 225 – West Meadows Raceway President Jane Grainger
Audio Format: MP3 audio
Host: Norm Borg
Please note that the opinions expressed in the featured interview are those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect Rideau Carleton Raceway and/or Standardbred Canada.