Regional exhibitions and agricultural societies across the Prairies continue to struggle financially as events are cancelled because of the pandemic.
The Lloydminster Agricultural Exhibition Association is among them but the board, staff and community have taken steps to keep the venue afloat while continuing to hope for more government support.
Last week it launched the Lloyd Ex Foundation, a way for individuals and businesses to donate funds that will provide a financial bridge to the organization until conditions improve.
“I know it’s difficult because so many businesses and industries are in the exact same position as we are and we know that,” said Jenelle Saskiw, general manager of the association.
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“That’s why we’re saying we can’t sit back and wait for the government to bail us out, so how can we be creative in creating our own solutions? That was the major component of why we moved forward so quickly with the Lloyd Ex Foundation.”
Saskiw said the foundation came together in just six weeks.
“We’ve been very open and transparent about the financial crisis that we’re in right now, as so many other event industry centres are at this time too, and we’ve just had a lot of response back from the public saying how can we help?” said Saskiw.
The Lloydminster Exhibition ordinarily holds more than 900 events each year that generate millions in regional economic impact. But COVID-19 protocols have prevented it from holding any events so far in 2020.
The board now hopes the foundation will provide bridge funding until events can be held or other options found.
Five percent of all donations to the new foundation will be set aside for youth programs and scholarships, said Saskiw. The rest will be used to keep the association running.
It has applied for a grant through Saskatchewan Tourism, which will be welcome if received, but won’t markedly address the financial shortfall because of limits on the amount available per recipient.
Though physically located on the Saskatchewan side of the border, the Lloydminster Ex also serves residents on the Alberta side. Saskiw said the organization has heard nothing from the Alberta government in the way of financial assistance.
In addition to establishing the foundation, with donors issued charitable tax receipts, the Ex has launched a sponsorship program through which businesses or individuals can pay to have their names on buildings, rooms and various venues within the facility.
It has also arranged ways for farmers and ranchers to easily request a portion of sales from grain or livestock to be donated to the exhibition association.
Financial troubles are common among other exhibitions and agricultural societies that have been unable to hold their usual events because of the pandemic and related health protection protocols. Earlier this year the Canadian Association of Fairs and Exhibitions asked the federal government for $59 million to assist small and large fairs and exhibitions.
Saskiw said she remains hopeful that more government assistance will come.
“I think it would actually cost the governments and our communities more to try to resurrect us if we ever have to shut our doors, than it would be to provide us some bridge funding to keep us going.”
