Sports

The Future of the Edmonton Indy

by Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke | July 26, 2009 at 09:21 am

233 views | 24 Recommendations | 4 comments

With the reorganization of the Indy Racing League a few years ago, Edmonton was pleased to learn that Edmonton had been scheduled as a venue for both 2008 and 2009.

The race organized by Edmonton Northlands and conducted at the Edmonton Municipal Airport, requires the assembly and break down of stands for this event. This alone costs Edmonton Northlands Millions of dollars.

Two weeks ago the Edmonton City Council voted to shut down the airport permanently. This would allow expansion of the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology to expand beyond its present property, something that has been requested for some time.

This has put the future of the Edmonton Indy in question.

Northlands and the Indy Racing league had a meeting early this morning and both sides said they were pleased with the discussion and optimistic about the event's future, despite city council's decision to close the airport in the future and develop the site.

The meeting discussed Northlands proposal for an extension to a renewal of a two year contract.

After an early Saturday morning meeting between Northlands and the Indy Racing League, both sides said they were pleased with the discussion and optimistic about the event's future, despite city council's decision to close the airport in the future and develop the site.

Terry Angstadt, IRL commercial division president, said they "couldn't be more pleased" with the meeting, the weekend and the future possibilities. The meeting discussed Northlands' proposal for a two-year extension to their contract, a new date for next year and the possibility of a more permanent-type site for the event.

2 See all footage | View Slideshow

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Edmund Jenks

at 15:56 on July 26th, 2009

If it goes away, we will lose another exciting venue in Canada ... like Vancouver, or another airport course ... like Cleveland.

Say it ain't so!

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 16:00 on July 26th, 2009

It seems to me that they will find a permanent venue. At least that is what I ascertained from the way Northlands and NASCAR were talking

POLARBEAR52

at 01:07 on August 14th, 2009

Thanks for posting the videos and I am sorry to hear they will be closing the old Municipal Airport. I used to work at the Royal Alexandra Hospital back in 1974-76, when the airport was so busy then with mostly jet transport from the north..and the planes came in just meters above our roof...but it was a great airport right in the heart of the city and so convenient to pick someone up.

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 02:30 on August 14th, 2009

The Municipal Airport has been a long standing issue for those who are influential in Edmonton. It wouldn't surprise me if the issue came up again. Thanks for sharing you story Polarbears 2