Edmonton seeking private operator for Indy race

Some Edmonton city councilors hope a private company will step up to the plate and take over the Indy race if Northlands backs out.

“Given the value of the race, finding an independent operator to take on the responsibilities would be terrific," said Coun. Tony Caterina.

“It would solve a lot of the problems we have faced for the last three years."

Northlands is rumoured to be cutting loose from the event after this year’s race. The race lost $5.3 million in 2008 – its first year in Edmonton – and $3.9 million the following year.

Government officials predict the upcoming and final race in the city’s current three-year contract to host the event will still lose money, but the predicted losses will be significantly less due in large part to Honda’s sponsorship of the event.

A private operator of the event could invest in a tarmac and bleachers that the Indy Racing League could count on for future events, said Coun. Bryan Anderson. Meanwhile, the city could stay on as a “gold sponsor" with a contribution of $1 million, he added.

Caterina stressed that Northlands has been a good partner and any problems that arose from the event were not their fault.

“The city had asked them to run this for us. This wasn’t their race, they did it out of the goodness of their hearts to accommodate us, and it was certainly very stressful on their operations both in terms of labour and using their resources," he said.

“Reputation-wise, I think they were unjustly saddled with some of the negatives when really they weren’t responsible for it. They didn’t ask for it. It was us."

Mayor Stephen Mandel also defended Northlands as good organizers for the event and credited them for keeping the cost of the event down this year as well as gathering community support for the race. However, he declined to comment on rumours that Northlands was bowing out.

Northlands spokesman Brian Leadbetter indicated that Northlands has informed the city of its “corporate position" on the Indy beyond 2010 but refused to reveal what that decision was.

“As city council has not made a decision on the future of the race at this time, it is premature for Northlands to speak to any details on future operations," he said.

The Honda Indy Edmonton runs from July 23 to 25 this year. Edmonton Sun