The indefinite postponement of Prairieland Park's soccer stadium construction project at Marquis Downs has elicited disappointment from Nicole Hein, a dedicated advocate of the former horse racing track.
Nicole Hein, who began her journey at Marquis Downs as a stall cleaner at 13 and worked up to becoming a jockey rider, expressed her views on the matter. She lamented the turn of events, stating, "The general reaction is karma, I guess." She firmly believes that Prairieland Park prioritized its success over the community's welfare, resulting in a situation where no one benefits. Hein asserted, "They brought that on themselves."
Having spent over a decade working at Marquis Downs, Hein fondly reminisced about the unique sense of community and support the track offered. She emphasized, "Nowhere is like Marquis Downs. There's just such a community there; there's so much support there. It's very unique." Contrary to some misconceptions, she noted that the racetrack consistently attracted a packed audience.
Hein was among the many individuals who opposed the closure of Marquis Downs, witnessing the removal of essential infrastructure, such as lights and rails, in anticipation of the soccer stadium project that ultimately failed to materialize. She firmly believed that the existing facilities at Marquis Downs were sufficient and that the community's preference did not align with the stadium's proposed location. According to her, creating a new racetrack is a significant undertaking that requires substantial effort.
She clarified that the opposition to the stadium was not a rivalry between soccer and horse racing and lamented that the project's postponement was not a victory for anyone. Hein asserted, "It's not. Everybody lost."
Over the years, the evolution of the soccer stadium project saw significant changes from the original plan. Initially proposed in September 2017, it aimed to construct a stadium for $20 million, bringing a Canadian Premier League (CPL) team to Saskatoon. The stadium was intended to be a multi-purpose sports and entertainment arena capable of accommodating up to 13,000 people for concerts.
However, the project's trajectory deviated from its initial course, leading to the closure of Marquis Downs in March 2021 in favor of hosting the CPL team. Nicole Hein had expressed her concerns back then, pointing out potential lease agreement violations and the city's responsibility to protect the interests of its citizens.
Prairieland Park, with a 50-year lease from the city at a nominal rate, had a project budget of $30 million for the new soccer stadium by December 2022. The recent announcement of the project being put on hold cited the need to address other financial priorities. Prairieland CEO Dan Kemppainen left the door open for a potential return to the project, pending improved circumstances, without specifying a date.
In conclusion, the indefinite halt to the soccer stadium construction at Marquis Downs has left Nicole Hein and others disheartened, reflecting the ongoing struggle between competing visions for the site's future.