The City of Fredericton, N.B., has stepped up efforts to redevelop its exhibition grounds.

The city has formed a working committee to finalize redevelopment plans for a 31-acre plot of prime downtown real estate located on the exhibition grounds, CBC reported. The 10-member committee – described as a “joint decision-making authority” – includes five city and five New Brunswick Exhibition representatives.

The city owns the property while NBEx holds a perpetual lease on it and operates activities at the site. In 2019, NBEx and the city agreed to redevelop the exhibition grounds.

The city has wanted for years to develop new uses on the exhibition grounds, CBC reported. Facilities there include an indoor exhibit centre, coliseum, stables and a mothballed harness-racing track.

In 2021, three design options proposed to retain the exhibition centre and remove the track in exchange for residential buildings, mixed-used buildings and, possibly, a new school.

The new committee will operate under an open timeline.