Ponoka Ag Event Centre Society is launching a $3-million fundraising drive.
Billed as the Building on the Legacy campaign, the effort is raising money for the new $10-million Ag Event Centre.
Construction started on the centre in May and the main building is expected to be completed by April, said society president Charlie Cutforth.
A stable for 200 horses should be open by June at the site next to Hwy 2A near Ponoka’s Royal Canadian Legion.
About $7.3 million in funding has been lined up, including nearly $4 million in provincial government grants and contributions from society members, Town of Ponoka, Ponoka County, Ponoka Stampede Association and Ponoka Ag Society.
Corporate sponsors have also stepped up, led by Encana, which donated $500,000.
The society intends to pursue other business sponsors and local partners to ensure there is enough funding available for site completion, stabling, specialized equipment and completion of the main building’s second level.
The centre is expected to host a variety of events from horse and livestock shows to trade fairs. Currently, local arenas and other smaller facilities have been used, but larger shows have to go to Edmonton or Red Deer’s Westerner Park.
Cutforth said existing facilities from Edmonton to Calgary are already full and the community believes there’s lot of potential for a new venue.
“There’s certainly a large market for it,” he said. “The interest is tremendous.
“We look at this as a huge economic driver for the area, naturally,” he said, adding a group has already come forward looking for a site for a hotel.
“Already the potential spinoff is really encouraging.”
The main building will be about 54,000 square feet and can be divided for multiple functions.
The stable will be built so it can be expanded by a further 200 stalls.
An official campaign launch is set for Dec. 16 at Ponoka’s Royal Canadian Legion at 3911 Hwy 2A beginning at 2 p.m.