LEOMINSTER — A proposed project to transform the Mechanic Street landfill into a horse racing and entertainment venue has stirred controversy in Leominster, with developers touting economic benefits and opponents raising ethical and environmental concerns.
Baystate Racing, LLC, in partnership with the Leominster-based Whitney Companies, has proposed revitalizing the landfill site into a multi-purpose fairgrounds featuring a racetrack, off-track betting facilities, a sports bar, an event space, and a restaurant with locally sourced food and craft beer. Proponents say the project would create hundreds of jobs, boost local revenue, and provide entertainment options for the community.
Baystate Racing stated on a website about the project that the development would be “a hub of excitement, fun, and opportunity,” while also emphasizing its commitment to responsible racing practices and horse welfare.
Economic and community impact
In their proposal, the developers say the fairgrounds will provide a substantial economic boost to Leominster. The project is projected to generate more than $1 million in annual revenue from horse and sports wagering, create job opportunities, and repurpose an underutilized area. The developers have also emphasized the inclusion of community-focused amenities such as a horse therapy program, event spaces for fairs and flea markets, and infrastructure enhancements, including new sidewalks and a dedicated access point from the Leominster Connector to alleviate traffic congestion.
According to the project description, “revitalizing a landfill will provide a return on previously dormant land,” and the initiative is “an innovative way to bring in revenue to the community without the overburden of taxes.”
Public opposition and ethical concerns
Not everyone is on board with the project. A petition titled “Stop Bay State Racing LLC Racetrack from Horse Racing and Off-Track Betting in Leominster” has gained traction, with over 900 verified signatures since it was posted two weeks ago. Residents cite concerns about gambling addiction, the ethics of horse racing, and potential environmental hazards posed by developing on a capped landfill near the Nashua River.
“Gambling never makes anything better. It makes a few people wealthy and everything worse,” an opponent to the racetrack, John, wrote in a comment on the online petition. “There’s an infinite number of ways to use that space to create good jobs and enhance our beloved community.”
Animal welfare advocates have also expressed concerns over the potential for horse abuse and fatalities associated with the racing industry. Critics argue that even with limited race days, the facility would still promote gambling and contribute to the broader issues of animal exploitation in racing.
“This is 2025, not 1925. Horse racing is a joke,” Philip, an opponent of the project, commented on the online petition. Kathleen, another petitioner, stated, “Besides all the other valid reasons to oppose this proposed project that the community has expressed, exploiting animals for entertainment (and potential profit) is reprehensible and selfish.”
Environmental and infrastructure concerns
Residents have also questioned the environmental impact of the project. The landfill site, which has been stabilized, would require significant modifications to accommodate the fairgrounds, the online petition said. Opponents are concerned that construction might harm the local ecosystem, possibly contaminating nearby water sources and adversely affecting wildlife.
“The concern that I have is the location. Along with that, it’s a landfill and the builder. The background that he comes from with all types of lawsuits. I don’t think that this is going to be something positive for our city,” Leominster resident Tina wrote in the online petition.
Next steps
Leominster Mayor Dean Mazzarella told MassLive that the track proposal has not yet been officially submitted to the city for review. “The city council and myself get to look at all of those issues by hiring private consultants to look at each one,” Mazzarella said.
This is not the first time Baystate Racing LLC has attempted to establish a racetrack in Central Massachusetts. In 2024, the City of Gardner rejected a proposal to build a racetrack at 827 Green Street, according to The Gardner News.
