The Centrium will get a fundraising assist from Red Deer County.
County council unanimously voted to give Westerner Park $500,000 towards a $3.5-million to $4-million project to add 1,000 seats and an additional 14 luxury boxes to the 6,000-seat arena. Two weeks ago, the City of Red Deer council approved a $1-million grant for the upgrade.
Westerner Park also hopes to tap the provincial government for $1.75 million to help bankroll the project.
County Mayor Jim Wood said Westerner Park has been an important venue for shows, especially Agri-Trade, one of the biggest shows of its kind in North America.
Upgrading the Centrium will give the region a further economic boost. “I believe it will help garner larger events. I do think it’s extremely important.”
Councillor George Gehrke said supporting Westerner Park is fitting. “Number one, it’s an ag society and we contribute to ag societies across our jurisdiction.”
The facility also has a huge economic impact on the region and helping it to expand would be a good move for the county.
Councillor Don Nesbitt said he was not at first in favour of giving away $500,000 in ratepayers’ money to the project. However, he changed his mind after a recent meeting with Westerner Park officials where they were “grilled pretty hard” by council.
Westerner Park made its case convincingly and Nesbitt is confident it’s a worthwhile initiative.
The money will come from a $2.1-million municipal reserve fund used to provide money for large projects.
John Harms, Westerner Park’s CEO and general manager, was pleased that another piece of the fundraising puzzle is in place. The province has told the Westerner to expect an answer on June 16 and Harms is optimistic the project will get support.
Westerner board president Michael Donlevy said recently that the expansion will create a facility better positioned to land significant events such as the Memorial Cup and the Tim Hortons Brier. Those two events alone could generate $35 million in economic spinoffs.
The Red Deer Rebels have announced they intend to bid on the 2013 Memorial Cup.
Boosting the capacity of the facility will also help land bigger entertainment acts, some of which have been bypassing the city because the Centrium is too small. Increasing the number of luxury boxes to 32 from 18 will address red-hot demand for the suites.
About 50 local businesses are on a waiting list.
pcowley@www.reddeeradvocate.com