Prairieland Park shares more details on future of site after Marquis Downs demolition

With the demolition of Marquis Downs nearing its final lap, Prairieland Park is sharing some details about its planning process for the future use of the site.

On Wednesday, Prairieland announced that it has retained architecture firm O2 Planning and Design for the development of a master plan for the site of the former racetrack, which has not been used for horse racing since 2021. The firm is known for working on major civic destinations, including the Calgary Stampede Grounds and the Edmonton EXPO Centre area.

Read more:

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• Planning committee to hear Marquis Downs heritage site request Monday

Prairieland said its master planning process will “set an implementable vision that lives up to the promise of Prairieland’s site.”

The organization added that the work will “expand Prairieland’s role as a year-round destination, leveraging generations of community benefit and economic impact.”

Prairieland also set a closing date for the survey it has launched, inviting people in the Saskatoon community to weigh in on the potential future of the Marquis Downs site. The online survey will close on Nov. 30.

The survey results will help to shape the master plan Prairieland will put together, and the organization promised on Wednesday morning that “all suggestions will be considered.”

Dan Kemppainen, CEO of Prairieland Park, said the demolition of Marquis Downs marks the “beginning of an exciting opportunity,” calling the master plan currently being assembled a “road map that re-energizes our existing assets, explores new areas of community benefit, and enhances the experience of Prairieland for locals and visitors alike.”

Prairieland said more than two million people visited the park last year, attending more than 400 events.