OMB Decision/Order 2149

Appeal to O.M.B. of Renfrew County
Official Plan Amendment

Results of the May 1st, 2004 Public Meeting:

Our Story:

In July, 2003, TrackCorpCanada, Inc. bought 1200 acres of land beside Calabogie and began building a motor sport racetrack. The developer’s preliminary plans and strategies would seem to have been in place long before that time. The partially built track became public knowledge in about mid-July of this year. At that time a significant portion of the track’s road course had already been clear-cut from the land.

The trend of racetrack developers is to develop tracks in small communities where there is limited financial resources and little in the way of organized opposition available to fight them. The track developers promise economic prosperity for the region, zero environmental impact, and minimal noise impact. Once they have the zoning approval they need, there is no requirement for them to keep these promises. In reality, other affected communities have experienced deflated property values, very real noise problems and dubious economic benefits.

The Greater Madawaska community does not have the resources to enforce the by-laws and agreements that the track may attempt to negotiate with the community. The only sure defense is to stop the rezoning. The positive economic impacts in this community are debatable, at best, benefits to the community will be fleeting and will occur at the cost of established tourism dollars. The net effect will likely be negative, save for a very few investor's pockets.

Employment opportunities would be available, primarily in the building phase. After construction, employment would drop significantly. In fact, it is impossible to say whether the net employment in the township will be positive or negative in the long run. That will depend on the extent of the negative impact the track would have on existing employment.

This is the situation in many small communities where similar tracks have been developed. Local Councils, unable to afford to implement or enforce by-laws, conditions or contractual commitments made with track developers have to live with the consequences regardless of what was originally promised.

If you want to protect the community, SAY NO to any re-zoning that will allow the operation of a motor sport track.

You are the last line of defence. You have the ability to make your voice heard.
Stop the Track. Register Now. Make your opinion a permanent testament that our council cannot ignore.

CCC Concerned Calabogie Citizens