New Brunswick Exhibition Grounds Redevelopment

Fredericton needs housing, a new school and related infrastructure within the urban core to serve our growing population and ensure our community remains vibrant, healthy and safe for everyone.  
The 30-acre New Brunswick Exhibition Grounds along Smythe and Saunders Street has been a critical part of our growth plans since 2019, when the City and the site’s current leaseholder, Fredericton Exhibition Limited, agreed to jointly develop the property.  

Unfortunately, the site remains undeveloped while the community’s need for services has grown.  
On Monday September 22, 2025, Fredericton City Council passed two resolutions authorizing necessary steps to acquire the site for housing, a new school to replace the 100-year-old George Street Middle School, and to serve related community needs.  

The City of Fredericton is the registered owner of the 30-acre property, including the exhibition grounds and the racetrack, located along Smythe and Saunders Streets. The City leases the site to Fredericton Exhibition Limited (FEL), known under its operating name NBEX, under a renewable agreement that expires in 2031. 

Fredericton City Council is committed to following a fair process that considers the interests of the NBEX as leaseholders while meeting the community’s greatest needs.

Timeline: 

1990 - NB Exhibition Grounds identified for development to serve community needs. 

2019 - Letter of Intent signed between NBEX and City of Fredericton for Joint Development of Exhibition Grounds.

2020-2021 - Public and Stakeholder Engagement (in person meetings, open house, surveys) to provide feedback on Site Development Plan.

2021 - Final Site Development Plan approved by City of Fredericton and NBEX Board.

2022 - Site Development Plan formally adopted by the City of Fredericton as New Brunswick Exhibition Secondary Plan. 

2023 - NBEX and City of Fredericton form Joint Decision-Making Authority for Exhibition Grounds to oversee future development of site.

2023 – 2025 - JDA meets numerous times with no meaningful decisions or progress on Secondary Plan.

November 2024  - Fredericton City Council passes a motion to ‘see a negotiated and mutually beneficial arrangement’ with the NBEX, and the city ‘will pursue all available means to expedite’ development. 

September 2025 - City Council passes two resolutions directing City Staff to initiate the expropriation process to secure the land for housing, a new school to replace the century-old George Street Middle School, and to serve related community needs.

October 6, 2025 – Notice of Intention to Expropriate filed with the Expropriations Advisory Officer.

February 20, 2026 – Hearing held by the Expropriations Advisory Officer regarding the Notice of Intention to Expropriate. During this hearing the respondent and other interested parties had the right to object and be heard. 

May 8, 2026 – City of Fredericton receives report from Expropriations Advisory Officer that determined the City of Fredericton established a need for the new school and high-density housing and that the expropriation was reasonably necessary to accomplish the City’s objectives.

May 10, 2026  - Special meeting of City Council to formally receive and consider the report from the Expropriations Advisory Officer and determine next steps.

Background:

The Fredericton Exhibition Limited (FEL) and Fredericton City Council have jointly developed a Site Development Plan for the New Brunswick Exhibition Grounds. Both parties adopted the Plan in April 2021.

You can read an overview of the final Site Development Plan here, and the entire Plan is here.

With the site development plan agreed upon, the FEL and City set about to develop a NBEX Municipal Secondary Plan for on the site.

The secondary plan, which was adopted in April 2022, provides the overall framework and policies needed to guide development on the site.

You can read NBEX Municipal Secondary Plan here.