CLOSURE: Beloved go-kart track shutting down after over 65 years in Hamilton

A go-kart track in Hamilton where families have been having fun for 66 years has shut down.

Lakeland Kartway abruptly posted an announcement to social media that they’d be closing permanently.

“It’s with sincere disappointment that after 66 years in business Lakeland Kartway will be closing permanently,” reads the notice.

“As Canada’s oldest go-kart track we have had the priviledge of serving Hamilton, Burlington and other surrounding communities for nearly 3 generations. On many occasions, numerous customers who bring their own children and grandchildren go-karting, have commented that they themselves go-karted at Lakeland Kartway as children. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our loyal customers for your decades of support.”

The post has over 100 reactions and over 50 comments, with many people commenting saying they’re sorry to hear the sad news.

The land the track is on is owned by the City of Hamilton, and Lakeland has been operated by the Firmi family since 1958. Lakeland usually employs around 20 young people during each operating season, and upgrades were made to the go-karts and tracks just last year in anticipation of business continuing.

“It’s sad and upsetting for everyone,” says general manager Rob Sweika. “The Firmi family wants to stay. The customers want us to stay. But I guess we have to go.”

In the official announcement of the track’s closure, Lakeland said their last weekend would be Thanksgiving weekend, but they opened one more time the weekend of Oct. 20 due to the good weather and to put a few more efforts into potentially saving the track. Track rentals continue until the end of October.

A petition has been put together in attempts to negotiate a new lease.

“We would like to thank everyone that came out today, your support means the world to us,” Lakeland posted to social media on Oct. 20. “Special thanks to Lori and her crew that put this party together in 3 days. Thanks to the band sounded great. Now onto speaking with the powers that be, hope to negotiate a new lease petition in hand, thanks everyone who signed both today and online. We hope to see everyone in the spring, we’ll keep you posted.”