An artist’s rendering of the proposed Canadian Motor Speedway complex. Graphic: Special to Bullet News
JOHN ROBBINS/Bullet News
FORT ERIE – A date has been set for a Ontario Municipal Board appeal hearing on the proposed $400-million Canadian Motor Speedway project in Fort Erie.
A hearing before the board will be held in Toronto on March 21.
That’s 10 days later than the original date parties to the hearing were told earlier this week.
“We received word late (Wednesday) afternoon that the OMB had to set March 21 as the final date due to availability issues for some participants,” said Azhar Mohammad, executive director of the Canadian Motor Speedway.
The appeal case launched late last year following a positive decision by the board in favour of the project proponents was originally scheduled as a teleconference, but that has since changed.
“We’re ready,” said Mohammad.
The appeal was requested by one of the group’s that was party to the original OMB case – the Preservation of Agricultural Land Society (PALS).
Project proponents had hoped to break ground on the development before the end of 2012, but the appeal of the OMB decision forced them to put those plans on hold.
The proposed Canadian Motor Speedway project complex includes:
- 1.0 mile paved motor speedway oval and spectator grandstand (65,000 seating capacity) with support facilities in the infield such as truck and RV parking, garages, first aid stations, fuel handling area, media centre, fan walk, maintenance and emergency command centre;
- 2.5 mile paved motor speedway road course with support facilities;
- a motocross/BMX /snow mobile/rental kart centre speedway course located within the road course area;
- 75,000 square feet ancillary commercial component supporting the Speedway;
- 185 acres for a parking and camping area along the southwest corner of Gilmore and Laur Road and along the lands south of Bowen Road, west of Laur Road;
- 31.1 acre “Innovation and Centre of Excellence”- post secondary educational and professional facilities related to the research and development of automotive technology and manufacturing and assembly of prototype products associated with the Centre;
- 170 acres of natural features;
- 51.3 acres for storm water management facilities.
2 Comments on "UPDATE: Date for Canadian Motor Speedway appeal hearing moved to March 21"
I have supported PALS in the past, but they are wrong on this one,this site by the QEW will do less harm than any other place in our Province,possibly the smallest carbon footprint than any place else.the site does not have arable land, the soil depth is shallow, that’s why the trees fall over at a certain height, The ground is basically limestone bedrock, perfect for a raceway I think being close to the International bridge is a good thing, Auto racing is not my cup of tea ,I don’t have a financial interest in this proposal. but you have my viewpoint.
I am very pleased to see the speedway move forward. I hope the OMB can make a quick ruling on this one last issue so ground can be broken in the spring. I support the CMS.