Skip to content

Ag society on the move

Olds Agricultural Society has proposed moving outside town to develop a racetrack, casino and convention centre next to Hwy 2.

Olds Agricultural Society has proposed moving outside town to develop a racetrack, casino and convention centre next to Hwy 2.

The idea is still in the early planning stages and has been included in a five-year business plan for the society that has been a part of the community for 111 years.

Its existing site in the town includes barns, stables, racetrack, 2,300-seat grandstand and agricultural buildings such as the Cow Palace and the Megadome.

Most of those features would be shifted to the new location if the project goes ahead.

It’s not the first expansion proposal the society has been considering.

Prior to this, a plan to further develop the existing site by expanding an agricultural building and adding a community centre with conference space, a restaurant and lounge as part of an $8.5-million project.

Mayor Judy Dahl said the society is outgrowing its current location.

“They are a very active ag society,” she said, adding it hosts hundreds of events a year.

Olds is in a similar situation, although on a smaller scale, to Calgary, which has grown up around its Stampede Grounds, she said.

“It’s much like our ag society, they’ve been here for 100 years and we’re kind of growing around it, but we’re also growing.”

The society has already talked to local MLA Richard Marz about the potential for buying provincially owned land near Hwys 2 and 27 a few kilometres east of Olds.

There is still much work to be done, said Dahl, adding the society will also have to develop infrastructure such as water and sewer service.

“The positive note is that our Transportation Minister Luke Ouellette has agreed that the Olds overpass will be in his plans in the future so that will assist them a lot too.”

Dahl said the society has put a lot of work into getting this far. “I think they’ve done their homework. It was a great proposal and I wish them all the best.”

Ag Society officials were not available for comment on Friday.

The proposal would mark another major development for Olds.

Olds College announced on Thursday that it was teaming up with the Pomeroy Inn & Suites to develop a $14 million hotel and convention centre on the north side of the campus.

The hotel will provide a learning centre for entrepreneurs who have turned to Olds College to hone their food service and hospitality skills.

pcowley@www.reddeeradvocate.com