Emo, Ont. councillor leading efforts to build race track in Kenora
Matt Prokopchuk | CBC News | Posted: March 31, 2016 2:54 PM | Last Updated: March 31, 2016
Anthony Leek says the facility would help diversify the entertainment options in Kenora
Kenora in northwestern Ontario could soon be the home of a new speedway, if the project being led by one racing enthusiast from Emo gets completed.
The Lake of the Woods Speedway Project is the brainchild of Anthony Leek, who also sits on Emo's town council. His goal is to build a dirt track racing site in Kenora, capable of hosting competitions featuring different classes of stock car racing.
A racing venue would add another recreation option in Kenora, Leek said.
"While there are some great entertainment events that happen throughout the summer, I just feel there is a need and a demand for a little bit more," he said.
"I think an entertainment venue such as a dirt track racing facility can help to diversify and enhance the entertainment world in Kenora."
Leek said he already has a deal in place to use a piece of land just east of the city centre which is already zoned properly — and he's attracted a significant investment towards the speedway's construction. Now, he's focusing on bringing in the money and other resources — like volunteers, labour and equipment — required to finish the project.
Worth the price tag?
If all goes well, Leek said he'd like to see the first practices held in the late fall.
"Right now the main focus is some of the finances in order to get this design and the engineering done for the site plan," he continued.
"Once we get that done I think the rest of it will move a lot more quickly."
Getting the track up and running with minimal or temporary amenities will cost about $500,000 to $600,000, Leek said, adding that finishing the project with permanent concessions, grandstands, and other features will add about another $1 million.
Leek said the project is worth the price tag.
"It's a great way to bring people together," he said of the community surrounding racing.
"We really are all a family and it's just a place to come together both within family groups as well as different families just getting to know and getting involved."
"It's really a sport for all ages."