A proposal to build a horse racetrack in Leominster has drawn scrutiny and anger from some of the city’s residents.

The proposed racetrack, known as “The Fairgrounds” has been floated by Baystate Racing, LLC and the Leominster-based Whitney Companies. It would be located at the “Leominster Landfill” at the end of Mechanic Street to the east of the Route 2 connector, according to the racetrack’s website.

If built, the racetrack would feature a sports bar, a community event space, a full viewing deck with a restaurant, parking lots, stables, a paddock and a venue for sports game simulators, which would be for gambling.

“Baystate Racing, LLC and Whitney Companies seek to partner with Leominster, MA to transform the Leominster landfill into a vibrant entertainment destination,” the website reads. “This revitalization project aims to energize the community, drive economic growth, and create enriching experiences for all, turning an underutilized space into a hub of excitement, fun and opportunity.”

Caitlin St. Clair, a Leominster resident, told MassLive she was against having a racetrack in the city, expressing concerns about potential environmental damage and traffic congestion.

She also expressed worry about the amount of money Baystate Racing could make off of those who gamble on horse racing.

“Rather than out of love for the community, horses, agriculture, or whatever marketing angle they are using, the real reason to build a horse track in Massachusetts is so Baystate Racing LLC can apply for a specific gaming license to host simulcast broadcasting, live race betting, and sports betting in their bar,” St. Clair said. “This would make them huge amounts of money off everyday gamblers, rather than making most of their money on races being held there.”

A petition titled “Stop Bay State Racing LLC Racetrack from Horse Racing and Off-Track Betting in Leominster,” was posted on change.org and has 881 verified signatures as of March 6. Lisa Nugent is listed as the petition starter.

The petition states that there is a concern about tampering with the landfill itself that might lead to “catastrophic issues that would affect neighbors, local wildlife and contaminate water supplies.”

“There will need to be significant alterations to the site to make it suitable for what is being proposed,” the petition reads. “Of major concern is that the Mechanic Street landfill is situated in close proximity to the Nashua River.”

The petition also reads there is concern a horse racetrack would contribute to more problem gambling.

“Not everyone will feel that it is crucial to keep Bay State LLC out of Leominster,” the petition reads. “Some will be more focused on any potential money, or jobs they will be promising to bring. But at what cost? Shouldn’t the focus be keeping Leominster safe and thriving as the family-centric community we know and love?”

In response to the concerns, a spokesperson for the project told MassLive that if the project passes, the responsibility for maintaining the landfill would shift to the developer from the city, taking away the “financial burden” on residents. The spokesperson added that the project is designed to alleviate traffic congestion on Mechanic Street by providing direct access from the Leominster Connector.

“It is the only proposal currently under consideration that includes a traffic mitigation component rather than contributing to the existing burden,” the spokesperson said. “If this project does not move forward, an already approved plan for 120 apartments at the Crossroads Business Park could proceed without an alternative entrance, further increasing traffic on Mechanic Street without any measures to offset the impact.”

Additionally, the development of a horse track would help Massachusetts’ farming economy, according to the spokesperson.

“Horse racing plays a vital role in sustaining the farming economy by generating demand for agricultural goods and securing jobs,” the spokesperson said. “In fact, caring for just one horse supports over seven different careers, from veterinarians to feed suppliers, reinforcing the deep economic impact of the industry.”

Leominster Mayor Dean J. Mazzarella told MassLive 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 isn’t the first time Bay State Racing LLC has proposed a racetrack in Central Massachusetts.

In 2024, the City of Gardner rejected Bay State Racing LLC’s proposal to build a racetrack at 827 Green St., according to the Gardner News.

Mazzarella said he wants to ensure Leominster residents have “the right information” about the racetrack proposal.

“The world of social media has a lot of misinformation,” he said.