CITY WITHIN A CITY

Woodbine Racetrack’s new plan will include shopping, post-secondary education and office space,

The future of the Woodbine Racetrack lands was mapped out Tuesday, amid hopes that this development will go forward unlike past attempts.

Woodbine’s privately owned 275hectare site will “continue to be the ultimate destination for horse racing and gaming” with 81 hectares devoted to horse-racing operations, according to a news release. But it will also include “entertainment and cultural offerings, food and dining, hotel, shopping, office space, postsecondary education, recreation, health, wellness and urban residential living.”

The development, led by Woodbine Entertainment Group in collaboration with others, will be a “city within a city.” It has been divided into phases, said Jim Lawson, CEO of Woodbine Entertainment Group. The first phase will include the expanded gaming district, along with entertainment and hospitality venues.

But similar development attempts have been made in the past.

In 2013, a Baltimore developer scrapped plans for Woodbine Live, a massive shopping and entertainment complex.

Hopes of replacing Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation slot machines at Woodbine with a full casino were also dashed that year when council rejected that along with a downtown casino. But council later reconsidered, opening the door to a casino by a 25-19 vote amid fears for the track’s future.

Ward 2 Councillor Michael Ford said he is “completely on board” with this project.

“It’s a substantial investment in jobs for the community,” Ford said. “It’s an incredibly well-rounded development that will serve not only the residents of northern Etobicoke but across our city and region.”