The end for Canada’s oldest raceway could be near.

If you make your way to the Fredericton Raceway, part of the exhibition grounds, chances are you’ll see Charlie Miles taking one of his horses for a few laps around the track. Miles is at the raceway six days a week, caring for his horses and Willie Nelson, his pony.

Miles is a long-time harness racer, but plans to redevelop the exhibition grounds threaten to end the tradition.

“I can’t say I’m in favour of them,” says Miles. “If they were to develop the area, we would have to find somewhere else to race.”

Opened in 1887, the raceway has a long history; it was even used as a military training ground during the Second World War, and many maritime records were made on the half-mile track. Recently, popularity of harness racing has continued to decline, and the track is now rarely used.

“It’s very sad, very sad, you take a thriving place with as many as 60 horses at a time down to 19-18 horses on it, it’s definitely a terrible loss,” says the long-time racer.

Miles misses the days when races happened almost every week, and the stadiums were full of cheering fans. In the past two years there have only been two races, and most days the bleachers are empty.

Lack of government support, funding from investors, and the lottery, which has turned betters away, have led to a decline in popularity. Redevelopment could be the final nail in the coffin for Canada’s oldest raceway.

Not all are sad to see the track go. Many students at Saint Thomas University see the exhibition grounds, which are only used a few times a year, as underused and are excited to see something new.

“I think there’s a bunch of empty space that could be used to generate profit, and for the community,” says fourth-year student Ryan Terry.

Terry hopes the redevelopment gives the community something it lacks.

“I would put in either a multi-complex with a track or just a track with other facilities. Because there’s no track in Fredericton, it’s one of the only Atlantic communities without a track.”

The project is currently seeking consultation for the developments on its plans, and will be revealed later this year. The city says the developments will include both

residential and commercial space while continuing to host the exhibition each September.

Charlie Miles hopes that this is not the end of harness racing in Fredericton.

“It was a huge sport in New Brunswick for so long, and still should be.”