What Happened to the Fraser Downs Racetrack
Fraser Downs was the harness racing track at the Cloverdale Fairgrounds, beside Surrey's own casino. Racing there has ended. This page sets out the short history, why the track closed, and what that means if you are heading to Elements Casino in Cloverdale.
From Cloverdale Raceway to Elements
The track opened in 1976 as Cloverdale Raceway, on the Cloverdale Fairgrounds. It kept that name until 1996, when it became Fraser Downs.
Elements arrived later in the story. After a renovation, the casino beside the track reopened as Elements Casino in December 2015. From then on, Surrey had a racetrack and a casino on the same grounds.
So if an older neighbour still says Cloverdale Raceway, they are not wrong. They are just early.
How the Racing Ended
Harness racing at Fraser Downs ended on August 15, 2025. The City of Surrey owns the grounds, and it terminated the lease. Its aim is to redevelop the Cloverdale fairgrounds area.
That decision was about the track, not the casino. The casino itself was not affected by the lease termination.
What eventually replaces the track is a matter for the city. This guide does not guess at it.
What This Means If You Visit
In plain terms, there is no live racing in Cloverdale now. If you were hoping to watch the horses, the fairgrounds track is no longer an option.
Elements Casino is a separate business, with a change of owner pending. Great Canadian Entertainment announced an agreement to sell it on March 9, 2026. The buyer is the Se-mi-ah-mu Development Corporation, the economic development arm of Semiahmoo First Nation. Closing depends on regulatory approvals and on the City of Surrey, which owns the land. This guide does not list hours, so check the venue's own page before you go.
Asked around town
Questions
Is harness racing still running in Cloverdale?
No, the racing is over. Harness racing at Fraser Downs ended on August 15, 2025, after the City of Surrey terminated the lease on the grounds.
Did Elements Casino close along with the track?
No, the casino was not affected by the lease termination. It is a separate business, and a sale to the Se-mi-ah-mu Development Corporation is still pending. For hours, use the venue's own page.
Why did the City of Surrey end the lease?
The city owns the grounds and wants to redevelop the Cloverdale fairgrounds area. This guide does not speculate about what will be built there.