Edmonton's iconic 118-year-old Spectrum racetrack demolition nears completion

The demolition of Edmonton's Spectrum racetrack—118 years old, once a hub for horse racing and briefly a shelter—is almost finished, clearing the Northlands site for transformation into a new neighbourhood.

Racetrack demolition work began in fall 2025 and cost $10.8 million. Expected grading completion is 2027, weather permitting. "If we get an early freeze or a lot of snow, then we'll have to wait until spring to really grade the site properly," said Jack Ashton, the city's infrastructure services general supervisor, on Monday.

The site's full readiness for development is targeted for spring 2027. Roughly 80 per cent of demolition material—concrete and steel—is being recycled.

The Spectrum's most recent use was as a temporary shelter for Hope Mission, which operated there until 2023, when the building was deemed unsuitable for human occupancy. Demolition was delayed by the presence of lead and asbestos, both requiring careful abatement before removal.

Plans to redevelop the area have been on the books since 2021. The new neighbourhood, called Edmonton Exhibition Lands, will eventually contain upwards of 3,500 homes—everything from single-family houses to 12-storey buildings. All new homes must meet "net-zero ready" standards. First-phase construction could begin as early as 2027.

The total build-out timeline will stretch 20–30 years, depending on market conditions. "If the market picks up, we'll go faster; if the market slows down, we'll go slower," said Neal Osaduik, the city's director of land development. Osaduik added that servicing work—utility and drainage infrastructure—fell two-and-a-half months behind schedule due to heavy rain: "We were anticipating we would be done all of our servicing work by the end of this year, unfortunately with all the rain we are two-and-a-half months behind."

The Coliseum—the Oilers' former home, located on the same grounds—is undergoing abatement work now, with physical demolition anticipated to start spring 2027 and conclude in spring 2028. The project includes a rebuild of the Coliseum LRT station and a new station to serve the developing neighbourhood.