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‘A little more secure’: local group reacts to updated plan for city’s northwest

Dec 29, 2021 | 5:33 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Organizers of the Medicine Hat Speedway are feeling a little more secure about their place in the city, following an updated plan for the area their track is located on.

The racing group had previously voiced concerns about potential changes to the land in question in the city’s northwest.

Image courtesy: city of Medicine Hat

City Hall has an eye on possible industrial projects for the area, causing concern for a number of groups that are area stakeholders, including the local drag racing club and a gun club.

But speedway officials say an updated area structure plan would mean those impacted will be notified two years in advance of any pending changes to the land they’re on, as well as to neighbouring land.

“We showed (the city) these clubs have a lot of members that do a lot for the community, and the city… and they took that all into account. And I don’t think they realized it when they first started doing this area structure plan,” said the speedway’s Curtis Bigelow.

Any possible changes to the land the speedway’s based on aren’t likely going to happen for several years, but the group has said the uncertainty over changes would make it difficult to plan for the future.

The updated area structure plan still needs council’s approval.