Post by : Meena
Hassan
The Fredericton Exhibition Grounds is currently witnessing the dismantling of its historic grandstand as the city rejected an appeal to overturn the demolition order issued on September 9. This move came after officials identified considerable safety issues, including rusting structural elements, the presence of asbestos, missing safety guards, trash buildup, and concerns regarding potential falls.
An appeal by the exhibition in October did not succeed, prompting the board of directors to agree to comply with the demolition request. Executive Director Rae Tretiak stated that the board recognized the city's position after the hearing and concurred that the safest choice was to remove the structure.
Demolition operations commenced about a week ago, starting with clearing debris from around the seating area and roof sections. Crews will dismantle the metal framework and remove the concrete footing to mitigate any fall hazards. Tretiak predicts the entire process will span two to three months, with an estimated cost around $400,000.
Local residents have come to see the grandstand one last time, recalling the meaningful events held there. Since closing in 2017 and then being boarded up in 2023, it served as a vital meeting point, including hosting a notable royal visit in July 1959. The grandstand stands next to a racetrack that still sees occasional horse activity, despite official races ceasing in 2016.
Discussions regarding future plans for the land are ongoing, with proposals for a potential new middle school, though no decisions are confirmed. Concurrently, the city and the exhibition have entered into an expropriation process concerning control over the grounds, with four objections filed ahead of the November 17 deadline as negotiations continue.
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