TORONTO, April 26 – On Thursday, April 26, 2018, Toronto City Council approved expanded gaming at Woodbine Racetrack by a vote of 26 to 15.
City Council based its decision to support expanded gaming and an integrated entertainment complex on the nearly 700-acre site in north Toronto based on a City Manager’s report which detailed the successful commitment or resolution of 21 conditions. City Council set the 21 conditions in 2015 when expanded gaming was conditionally approved.
Expanded gaming on the site will be a catalyst for future development, which may now begin in earnest.
“We are pleased that council chose to support jobs, development and the vitality that expanded gaming will bring to this portion of the city,” said Jim Lawson, CEO Woodbine Entertainment. “We look forward to co-creating an exciting future on this site with our partners OGGTA.”
Since assuming control of gaming operations from OLG in January, OGGTA, a partnership between Great Canadian Gaming and Brookfield Business Partners, have begun to transform gaming on the site. Combined with exciting Woodbine initiatives such as the installation of an inner turf course, a company-wide brand refresh, and the upcoming Queen’s Plate Festival featuring country-superstar Brad Paisley, signals a compelling future for horse racing in Toronto.
About Woodbine Entertainment
With roots dating back to 1881, Woodbine Entertainment is the largest horse racing operator in Canada, showcasing world-renowned horse racing at our facilities at Woodbine in Toronto (home of the iconic Queen’s Plate) and Milton (host of the storied Pepsi North America Cup). At 684 acres, the Woodbine Racetrack site is the largest, contiguously owned parcel of land remaining largely undeveloped in the City of Toronto. It is comparable in size to Toronto’s downtown core stretching from Spadina Ave. to Church St. and from the waterfront north to Queen St. Woodbine Entertainment is designated as a Caring Company with Imagine Canada, and gives back through the Woodbine Cares Community Investment Program.
