As if Race City didn’t have enough going against it this racing season, the City of Calgary has closed 68 Street SE and cut off access from that road to the track’s parking lot, as well as Varsity Park, the location of the kart track. Race City owner Art Mackenzie says that, in his opinion, the closure is partly due to vindictiveness on the part of City bureaucrats, who he says are not pleased at the fuss he created over the City canceling the facility’s lease.
68 Street was closed to allow construction of the new access to the Shepard Landfill. The City plans to widen 52 Street SE to four lanes between 130th Avenue and 114th Avenue, effectively eliminating the current entrance. Construction will be completed in September, just in time for the end of the racing season.
Mr. Mackenzie understands why the City needs to close 68 Street. What he doesn’t understand is why the City refuses to work with him to restore better access during construction to ensure there are no traffic or safety issues.
Access to Race City has been reduced to only the VIP entrance off 114th Avenue. According to Mr. Mackenzie, there were previously 6 access points from 68 Street.
Mr. Mackenzie wonders how one access point will handle thousands of fans for some of the bigger events this summer, such as the Super Bike competition in July.
The situation could become even worse. Race City has booked several concerts, which in the past have attracted as many as 25,000 fans.
Mr. Mackenzie fears traffic could be backed up on 114th Avenue as west as Barlow or even further. Leaving the facility after an event will be a nightmare, he said.
And, he asks, what will happen in the event of an emergency? Evacuating thousands of fans through a single exit would be a logistical nightmare.
Blair Riddle, spokesperson for the City, says if asked by Race City the City will cooperate with track management to handle fan traffic as efficiently as possible.
“Race City management was informed in July 2008 of the planned closure of 68 St. SE south of the VIP entrance for construction of the new landfill entrance. Waste & Recycling Services has not received any information directly about events planned at Race City in 2009 but if contacted we will work with event organizers to minimize the impact of construction activities.
“Event organizers should also connect with Traffic Operations to facilitate vehicle movement,” Mr. Riddle commented in an email to SECN.
Ald. Ric McIver, whose ward encompasses Race City, says the City has not treated the track or the motorsport community fairly with respect to the lease or the closure of 68 Street.
He says it is ironic that the City of Calgary spends lavishly each year attracting business to the city, only to treat a local business so shabbily that supports dozens of jobs, generates millions of dollars in revenue for southeast businesses and attracts tourists from all over Western Canada.
In exclusive SECN interview Art Mackenzie, Race City owner, and Ald. Ric McIver discuss the closure of 68 Street and the impact on the race track and motorsport in Calgary
68 Street south of 114th Avenue SE is under construction and barred to regular traffic
The City has raised 68 Street so that even if the gates were opened access would be impossible
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Here is a copy of a rsponse from David Griffiths which I countered with some other information but with no response:
I am sending this email with regards to the situation at Race City Motor Sport Park.
The Calgary Drag Racing Association, Calgary Motorcycle Road Racing Association, Alberta Mini Road Racing Association, Calgary Oval Racing Association and the Go Cart Racing Association will no longer have a place to race. All of the above groups are Not for Profit registered with the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission. All the groups have children who, starting at age eight have an interest in racing some sort of vehicle. Race City is our Recreational Facility. The City of Calgary did not build this facility, like the Ice Arenas, Football, Softball, Wave Pools and other sports facilities around Calgary where children can enjoy their interests. The Go Cart Track was built using Alberta Lotteries Funds and matching grants.
Since the vote on January 26 not to extend the lease, I have a few concerns with what has happened to the site since late September 2008 and maybe someone, will be able to elaborate to these questions. I have searched My Property and for both 11920 and 12625 68 Street SE, I noticed there are no Development or Building Permits for either address. I have also searched the Calgary Planning Commission from the beginning of 2007 right up until early 2009, and have seen nothing including any road closures. Is Waste Management and the City of Calgary exempt from the process. Race City, as part of their lease was required to build 68 Street SE. Waste management has excavated and put a fence across this road. They have also rebuilt the road and paved closer to the spectator access. They have also put up a fence along the south end of Race City on the east side of 68 street denying access to the spectator parking lot and the Go Cart Track.
If you are saying we have one more year why is this construction happening before you people say the lease expires. The associations listed above have all entered into rental agreements with Race City and access to the spectator parking lot is a must. We can not have have cars sitting on 114 avenue and cause traffic problems.
My last question would be, as to why all of the associations did not have a voice, at any of the council meeting to express the concerns of the local race enthusiast.
Thank you
Al Bailey
CDRA President
Dear Mr. Bailey,
I am writing in response to your e-mail to the Aldermanic Office and the Office of the Mayor regarding construction activities on 68 St. SE, south of 114 Ave. intersection. The project currently under way in that location is construction of a new access road and scale facility for the Shepard landfill. The new access is required because of the widening of 52 Street SE, which will eliminate our current landfill access. The 52 Street widening project will start in April 2009 and is planned to be completed by September 2010.
The new landfill access project includes upgrading of the 114 Ave. and 68 St. SE intersection; widening, regrading and paving of the of the portion of 68 St. from the intersection to the landfill entrance; and construction of the scale and throw-and-go facility. Under the new Land Use Bylaw (1P2007), a development permit was not required for this project, and the building permit for the new scalehouse was obtained (BP2009-0065).
Race City Motorsports Inc. (RCMI) have been advised of the project as early as 2006, when initial planning commenced. It was understood that RCMI would be communicating any relevant information to its clients directly. Project schedule and impacts on access to the facility have also been discussed with RCMI on several occasions as design was being developed and finalized. One access point to the facility will be maintained (the VIP entrance), to allow for the use of the facility, as its various components can be accessed internally, and not to interfere with the traffic coming to the new landfill entrance located further south on 68th Street. The expected completion date for the project is September 2009.
Regards,
Dave Griffiths
Director Waste & Recycling Services
Dave, you may think you are right but this is why I think you over stepped your limits.
According to the legal 68 Street SE, south of 114 Avenue is on the city legal plan for section 12-23-29-W4. The only road closure is for 01-23-29-W4 by By Law 17C01. Your part in parcel for the Landfill site 6727 114 avenue, I do believe is for the east side of 52 street to the west side of 68 street, south of 114 avenue and extending to north of 132 avenue. The land use designation is S-CRI, special Purpose-City and Regional Infrastructure. In this parcel there are related accounts: 136000106,136000114,136000122,136000130 and 136000148. I also see for an address 12625 68street 136000502, with the same zoning.
In 1985 a parcel of land, section 12-23-29-W4, was zoned DC by Amendment No. 84/074, Bylaw No. 1Z85. Land use shall be an auto sport facility, municipal sanitary landfill site or extensive agricultual use. A Memorandum of Agreement made effective this 1st day of April, A.D. 1985 between the City of Calgary and Race City Speedway Inc. was agreeded upon. The lease was from April 1, 1985 to March 31, 2005. Under Schedule “B” of this agreement Race City at its sole expense was to construct 68 Street SE. and must be constructed prior to the issuance of a Occupancy Permit for the Development. This included from 114 avenue south to the parking lot entrances of the lands. Race City was to maintain the road for a period of two(2) years from the date of the issuance of the CCC and then taken over by the City upon issuance of the Final Acceptance Certificate (FAC).
In April 01, 1990 there was an Amending Agreement signed between the City of Calgary and Race City Speedway Inc. to extend the lease from April 01, 2005 and expiring March 31, 2025. I can not find in any of the lease documents where you have the right to come in and take over and start construction with regards to your current project. You have taken access to the spectator parking as well as the Carting facility by installing a chain link fence, and raising the grade of 68 street. From the documentation I have, this is still zoned DC under 1Z85. 11920 68 Street, 201263647, it is not included under your present parcel of land for your site.
I could go on and on but in closing: In a sence DC is a “custom made” or “fined tuned” designation designed for one specific area or project only. It is still a legally bylawed land use district and any changes to the uses or rules require the full public hearing redesignation process. What was wrong with coming in off 114 Avenue south of Dufferin Blvd and doing the same construction for access to the Land Fill site.
Thanks for your time
Al Bailey
There is far too much he said she said in this matter. I suggest that if there is any interest for the operators and using the leased land they act otherwise put up and shut up.
As a former and frequent user of the facility I sadly committed to not use the facility this season, 2009, because of the poor communications surrounding the RaceCity road track. This quit on my part has caused a small business, BGPR to not enjoy $1,000 and other small businessess to miss out on equally small entertainment dollars. The effect of missing these dollars ripples into the business community far beyond the motorsports community of Calgary. While a thousand dollars is paltry the effect of others doing the same begins to affect. How many concert goers will cancel or simply not consider attending once they realize the facility is being shut in!
Until RCMI acts this situation will only deteriorate and leave a bitter taste for all.