Raceway Park Sale Approved

Late Thursday afternoon Judge Robert Austin has approved the sale of Spokane Raceway Park to Spokane County.

County commissioners bid more than $4 Million for the track and surrounding land tracts, but its sale has not been without controversy as several people both inside and out of county government have questioned the sale.

Even before Judge Austin approved the sale to the county, Commissioner Bonnie Mager was soliciting for offers to sell the track. Deer Park businessman Don Morse and his business partners offered the county $2.2 Million for the track.

Spokane County has already selcted Stateline Speedway in Post Falls to manage the race track when it reopens. Last Tuesday Joe Doellefeld, Stateline’s principal partner, announced they had filed to operate the track – to be known as Spokane Motorsports Park – with Spokane County. Doellefeld’s group, Syringa Management Group, was selected over three other applicants.

Commissioners hope to have the track opened by the end of the summer.

With the sale approved plans will more than likely move forward on a law enforcement training center that Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich has proposed building. Airway Heights has also expressed interest in building a multi-use sports complex north of the race track.

“Spokane County is eager to begin work at the site that will provide the community with a much-needed sports complex on the West Plains, a regional Law Enforcement training facility, and the racing area that will bring tourism dollars into the local economy,” Commissioner Todd Mielke said in a statement following Judge Austin’s decision.