Markham Hislop
Ald. Linda Fox-Mellway and Brian Pincott voted against Monday’s motion to extend Race City’s lease for another five years. They must have felt the wrath of Race City supporters because both have issued written explanations for voting as they did. Kudos to them for publicly defending their vote. Would that all elected officials had that much courage.
I’ve reproduced the emails below so readers can see for themselves what the aldermen had to say on the issue. I’ve also had the opportunity to interview both Ald. Fox-Mellway and Pincott.
Afterward, I was a little more sympathetic to their position. Ald. Fox-Mellway, in particular, was frank in her assessment.
The key point of our discussion was the feasibility of integrating Race City operations with expansion of the landfill. Art Mackenzie, Race City’s owner, and many in the motorsport community think it can be done.
Linda Fox-Mellway
Ald. Fox-Mellway disagrees. She says the tough questions were asked at the January 26 Council meeting and administration officials provided answers to her satisfaction. The answers were that the Shepard Landfill expansion cannot be integrated with the race track.
“A lot of questions were asked in camera…and the information was given to us,” she said. “We asked a lot of those hard questions and were given the responses, in camera.”
As far as Ald. Fox-Mellway is concerned, she was given sufficient information to make her decision.
Brian Pincott
Ald. Pincott told me that, according to Waste Services, Alberta government regulations make it impossible to integrate the retention ponds and the road race course. The two land uses would be forbidden to co-exist.
He also raised the issue of the cost of working around the Race City facility, which would have to be borne by the taxpayers.
Raised in Quebec, where Formula One racing is a religion, Ald. Pincott seemed genuinely sorry to have had to vote against Race City.
After many stories on this subject I have come to this conclusion: Waste Services has concluded the race track and the landfill expansion cannot co-habit the Race City property, they have convinced a majority or Council their argument is sound, and that super tanker is not reversing direction any time soon.
As Ald. McIver has pointed out, Waste Services will spend money and proceed with development plans for the Race City property. By the time opinion on Council changes, assuming it ever does, the City will be too far down the development path to change course.
Political and administrative inertia will be too difficult to overcome.
Motorsport fans still have hope, faint though it may be.
First, Mr. Mackenzie negotiate a deal with the City for new land for a new track. Second, Mr. Mackenzie may successfully sue the City for breach of his lease. Third, the motorsport community is organizing for another offensive and they may be able to sway enough public opinion that one alderman is forced to rethink his or her vote.
Monday’s vote was a serious blow to motorsport in Calgary. The blow wasn’t fatal, but might soon be. Good luck to Mr. Mackenzie and the motorsport organizations, they are going to need it.
Ald. Linda Fox-Mellway
In 2006 The City of Calgary through Waste & Recycling Services (W&RS) made a significant investment in purchasing the lands east of the area currently occupied by Race City (to the TUC), with intent to consolidate development plans for the Shepard Landfill, including the lands east of 68 Street, and to bring all the lands under the landfill operating approval.
The area leased to Race City is needed for the planned development of this essential landfill infrastructure, including the main access roads, scaling facilities, residential throw-and-go and recycling depot and a comprehensive stormwater management system for the entire Shepard landfill site.
Construction of the new landfill access road, scaling facilities and a recycling depot on 68 St. SE started in June 2008 and is planned to be completed by July 2009. Conceptual design for the stormwater management system was commissioned in 2005 and completed in 2006, and the anticipated timelines for the remaining activities are as follows:
Conduct technical (geotechnical and hydrogeological) assessment of all W&RS lands east of 68 St., including lands occupied by Race City Speedway and bring the lands under the landfill operating approval from Alberta Environment (2009/2010).
Develop preliminary and detailed design for the stormwater management system and landfill plan (2011).
Construct the stormwater management system and landfill facilities (2012-2014 budget cycle).
Although W&RS does not anticipate placing waste in the area currently occupied by the race track in 2010, W&RS requires unrestricted access to all of the property commencing in early 2010 to be able to conduct a comprehensive technical assessment of the lands, as required by Alberta Environment to bring the lands under landfill operating approval.
I trust that the foregoing clarifies that these lands are required to allow for the planned expansion and provision of an essential service at the Shepard Landfill site. Portions of these lands are also required for future development of the 114 Ave SE realignment project and the proposed provincial development of the southeast leg of Stoney Trail.
Ald. Brian Pincott
As a fan of racing the decision around the lease of Race City’s current location found me stuck between a rock and a hard place.
On the one hand – there is very clearly a strong interest in racing and motorsports in Calgary; and Race City has played an important role in fostering these vibrant sports, and has been a great venue for enthusiasts. On the other hand, the City is facing significant pressure from the Province to re-dress it’s landfill specifications and environmental efficiency, as well as the growing need for new landfill space to address our booming population.
Extending the lease for Race City means that when the inevitable closure does come – it will be at additional cost, of approximately $3 million, to property tax payers. Yet, not extending the lease means potentially losing a valuable recreational facility in the City, if a new location cannot be found.
Ultimately, in light of the vociferous opposition from Ward 11 to the prospect of higher property taxes two months ago, coupled with the pressing demands on our existing landfills throughout the City, I supported the Administration recommendation not to renew the lease for Race City.
This was a most difficult decision to make.
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I believe that this is a mistake. I dont think the city council realizes whats going to happen if race city goes. People who pay an insane amount of money to modify their vehicles will have only one place to race them, the streets. Police (with already enough on the hands) will have more to worry about if the tracks close. Buisness’s that specialize in automotive performance will loose money, and people will get hurt.
“Kids” who buy those cheap import cars (then modify them to crazy extents) will get killed because they dont have the experience and dont have a place to gain it other than the streets. Long time racers with classic high horsepower vehicles will end up on the streets. Long stretches of roads like crowchild trail, countryhills blvd, deerfoot trail, and highway 1 will become more dangerous. Unless the city of Calgary is willing to shut down certain streets or roads (and retrofit it for racing), and use it for racing on certain nights, the people will orgainze and race against the law.
There are two major groups on facebook with over 50 member each that agree with this, and that is just on facebook. I am aware of atleast 200 people (on my own) that will protest to this. And if 200+ people decide to street race, what are the odds that some one will get killed? I strongly urge the city council to focus on those issues more strongly, because i can guarentee that if race city is gone, Calgary will become a Race City. And people WILL die.