Century Mile Racetrack and Casino
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| Location | 4711 Airport Perimeter Road Edmonton International Airport, Alberta T9E 0V6 |
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| Coordinates | 53°18′58″N 113°33′38″W / 53.31611°N 113.56056°W |
| Owned by | Vici Properties |
| Operated by | Century Casinos |
| Date opened | April 1, 2019 |
| Race type | Quarterhorse, Standardbred and Thoroughbred racing |
| Course type | Flat dirt one mile (eight furlongs) |
| Notable races | Canadian Derby (G3), Century Casino Oaks, Northlands Park Distaff |
| Official website | |
Century Mile Racetrack and Casino is a casino and horse racing facility in Leduc County, Alberta, next to the Edmonton International Airport. It is one of two "A-level" horse racing venues in the province of Alberta, and the only "A-level" one-mile racetrack in western Canada. It is owned by Vici Properties and operated by Century Casinos.
It opened on April 1, 2019, serving as the replacement for Northlands Park. Public transit to the facility is offered via Edmonton Transit Service route 747 to the airport, and Leduc Transit route 10 (connecting via Edmonton International Airport).[1][2]
History
[edit]In February 2016, Northlands announced that racing would end at Northlands Park after the 2016 season, following 116 years of operation. As part of its "Northlands Vision 2020" proposals, Northlands had proposed the redevelopment of Northlands Park as an "urban festival site" capable of hosting large-scale outdoor events. The organization projected it would no longer be "financially viable" once the Edmonton Oilers' new downtown arena Rogers Place opens, as it would attract the majority of major indoor events previously held at the Northlands-operated Coliseum (then Rexall Place).[3][4]
Horse Racing Alberta stated that it would pursue a new venue in the region, and stated that "Obviously we are disappointed in their decision to leave racing at Northlands Park", and that it would "work with Northlands Park as they transition out of racing to minimize the impact on our industry."[5] In May 2016, it solicited expressions of interest for a new "A-level" track license, including from Century Casinos (who owns Alberta's other A-level circuit, Century Downs near Calgary) and Enoch Cree Nation among others.[6] In September 2016, Horse Racing Alberta announced that it had accepted the bid by Century Casinos, which planned to build a racetrack and casino in Leduc. Century planned to build a one-mile track (in comparison to the 5/8-mile Northlands Park), which would be the only one of its kind in Western Canada. The track would inherit events formerly held at Northlands Park, including the Canadian Derby.[7][8]
Horse Racing Alberta reached agreements with Northlands to continue racing at Northlands Park while the new facility was under construction.[8] It officially opened on April 1, 2019.[1][2]
On September 6, 2023, Century sold the properties of four of its casinos—including Century Mile—to real estate investment form Vici Properties for C$222 million in a leaseback agreement.[9]
Racing
[edit]The following graded stakes run at Century Mile Racetrack and Casino:
Grade III:
- Canadian Derby (2019 - Present)
The following are major events hosted at Century Mile Racetrack and Casino:
- Canadian Derby (2019 - Present)
- National Driving Championship (2022)[10]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b Bergot, Nicole (2019-03-29). "Rush to the racetrack: Century Mile Racetrack and Casino at EIA opens Monday". Edmonton Journal. Retrieved 2019-09-15.
- ^ a b "Opening of Century Mile Racetrack and Casino south of Edmonton gives sport new start". globalnews.ca. April 1, 2019.
- ^ "City council wants answers before forgiving Northlands debt and approving redevelopment". CBC News. Retrieved 2017-08-31.
- ^ "Northlands unveils long-term strategic plan as new arena rises in downtown Edmonton". Edmonton Journal. Retrieved 2018-11-01.
- ^ "Handing over the reins: Northlands Park hosts final horse-racing event". Global News. Retrieved 2021-06-12.
- ^ "4 proposals submitted to build horse racing facility in Edmonton area - Edmonton | Globalnews.ca". Global News. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
- ^ "Edmonton horse racing contract awarded to Century Casinos". CBC News. 2016-09-19. Retrieved 2022-08-27.
- ^ a b "Horse Racing Alberta staying at Northlands another year, new track to open in 2018". CTV News Edmonton. 2016-11-03. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
- ^ Robert Fletcher (September 7, 2023). "Vici completes quadruple Alberta casino purchase from Century". iGaming Business. Retrieved 2023-09-14.
- ^ "2022 National Driving Championship". Standardbred Canada. Retrieved 2022-11-29.