NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Channel 4 News has learned that health care giant Hospital Corporation of America is interested in the Nashville Fairgrounds property.

Related: Watch This Story | Karl Dean's Letter To Fair Board (PDF)

On Tuesday night, Mayor Karl Dean released a letter saying the fairgrounds would shut down in June 2010 and that his staff was exploring redevelopment of the site.

Metro's finance director, Rich Riebeling, confirmed that HCA has been asking Metro about the fairgrounds property.

Councilman Rip Ryman is chairman of the Metro Council committee that oversees the fairground. He said he heard about a month ago that HCA wanted the property but has heard nothing official from the Dean administration.

"I don't know what HCA would do with it, unless they plan to move all their corporate offices and all to that location," Ryman said.

HCA's corporate headquarters are near Nashville's Centennial Park.

Meanwhile Wednesday, reality was sinking in at the Fairgrounds Speedway. Long-time team owner Gary Baker was saddened to hear of the mayor’s plans to end a 100-year tradition.

"It's a sad day. Any time you've got an iconic institution like this one, that's been here 100 years, you think of this track and Milwaukee being the oldest tracks in the country," said Baker. "It's sort of time to get the crying towel out."

HCA's public relations department did not return Channel 4's phone call.