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Westerner Park get $2 million in funding

City of Red Deer, county, Donald family and Westerner Park Foundation contributing
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Westerner Park will receive $2 million from City of Red Deer, Red Deer County, the Donald family and Westerner Park Foundation to support operations while a provincial review of agricultural societies is underway. (Advocate file photo)

Westerner Park is getting a $2 million funding boost as it awaits the outcome of a provincial review of agricultural societies and their financial pressures.

City of Red Deer, Red Deer County, the Donald family and Westerner Park Foundation have committed $500,000 each in interim funding aimed at supporting Westerner Park operations while putting the facility on the path to financial self-sustainability.

Westerner Park's strategic plan's goal is to reach self-sustainability within three years.

"This is a challenging but achievable goal for an organization of this size," says Westerner Park CEO Shelly Flint in a Wednesday statement. "With our dedicated team and clear strategy, I am confident we can find a path to sustainability."

The funding announcement comes the same day that the province announced it is funding a study to get feedback and recommendations on how the government can best support seven regional agricultural societies in Red Deer, Camrose, Grande Prairie, Lethbridge, Lloydminster, Medicine Hat and Olds.

"Regional agricultural societies are a huge part of Alberta communities and a lot has changed since they were established more than a century ago," says Agriculture and Irrigation Minister RD Sigurdson in a statement.

"We know they do great work. Now we need to understand their challenges and opportunities to better position our agriculture sector and rural communities for success."

Red Deer Mayor Ken Johnston said that the local financial support is a joint effort is important.

"There's a collective will here and a collective desire to see the Westerner get back on its feet and there's a belief it can get there.

"No question, the money will support the Westerner as it goes forward. It's still rebuilding after COVID. It's still trying to get its market share where it was.

"We believe in the strategic plan they have. We believe in the direction that they are taking," he said. "I think we've shown a level of confidence that the Westerner can get on its feet in the next three years."

Westerner Park and its supporters have long been advocating for a reassessment of how the province supports its agricultural societies given their important roles in their communities.

Johnston believes that the province understands that agricultural societies such as Westerner Park's – the province's second largest – are key economic drivers.

It is hoped the provincial review will mean more financial support for Westerner Park, which never received adequate funding given its role, he said.

"I'm really encouraged to see the province now taking a look at what the funding requirements for an ag society like the Westerner should be."

John Donald, whose family have been major supporters of Westerner Park for many years, said the facility has been a "community cornerstone" for over 130 years.

"It's vital that we continue to engage in strong advocacy with all levels of government."

Mayor Jim Wood also touted the contributions of Westerner Park in a statement.

"Westerner Park continues to set the stage by fostering community growth through events that support agricultural initiatives, educational programs and various entertainments while simultaneously acting as economic driver by attracting visitors, creating job opportunities, and stimulating our local economy for the central region."

The provincial government's last budget set aside $11.5 million in the Agricultural Societies Grant Program, which includes $2.8 million for regional societies. The Agricultural Societies Infrastructure Revitalization Program provided $2.5 million to 34 ag societies in 2023 to make major infrastructure repairs.

 



Paul Cowley

About the Author: Paul Cowley

Paul grew up in Brampton, Ont. and began his journalism career in 1990 at the Alaska Highway News in Fort. St. John, B.C.
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