Councillors call for race track closure

A debate over whether to add more video lottery terminals at the Hippodrome de Montréal race track has prompted city councillors to call for the closure of the gambling facility, formerly known as Blue Bonnets Raceway.

There are currently about 200 of the lottery terminals at the Hippodrome, and they help keep the struggling horse-racing industry afloat.

The provincial agency that runs the race track wants permission to add hundreds more, but city councillors in the area are opposed to the idea.

Councillor Marvin Rotrand said it seems as if the race track is trying to turn itself into a second casino.

"I think most people would be opposed to that," he said. "Most people say it creates social problems while making no economic sense whatsoever."

Rotrand said that what would make perfect sense is to close the race track for good, and officials at city hall agree.

"We would like to see the hippodrome out of there, off the island of Montreal," said Robert Libman, who is in charge of urban planning on the city's executive committee.

Councillors want to see new housing and perhaps some industry at the site.

Some even suggest building the English super-hospital there.

Meanwhile, provincial officials are studying the race track's request for more lottery terminals.