Town of Woodstock to Conduct Safety Review of Connell Park Raceway

Woodstock, NB – Following the tragic incident that occurred during the opening day of harness racing at Connell Park Raceway, the Town of Woodstock extends its continued condolences to all those affected. Our thoughts remain with the family, friends, and community members grieving this unimaginable loss.

The Woodstock Police Force has now formally released the raceway for availability to the Town, and as a result, the Town of Woodstock will now begin a comprehensive safety review of Connell Park Raceway. This is a necessary and important step to ensure that any future events held at the venue are safe for both participants and spectators.

Out of an abundance of caution, the Town will be reaching out to all groups with scheduled events at Connell Park Raceway to review plans and determine whether those events can proceed prior to the completion of the safety review. This includes upcoming harness racing events, and any other large-scale gatherings scheduled to take place at the facility.

“We understand the immense effort, time, and resources that go into organizing community events,” said Trina Jones, Mayor for the Town of Woodstock. “We are committed to working with our event partners to support them through this process. At the same time, we must ensure that due diligence is done to protect the public and prevent future accidents.”

The Town acknowledges that this review may impact timelines or scheduling of some events. However, the safety and well-being of all who gather at Connell Park Raceway must remain our top priority.

The Town of Woodstock thanks all event organizers and the wider community for their patience, understanding, and continued support during this time.