The Calgary Stampede is rebuilding its agriculture facilities to the tune of $65 million.
“This is the largest investment in agriculture ever made by our organization,” said Stampede chief executive officer Vern Kimball at a Feb. 25 announcement.
The development covers a 50 acre site in the southeastern corner of Stampede Park that includes a 9,000 sq. metre facility with a 2,500 seat arena. New and renovated barns will offer 1,000 stall spaces for major livestock events.
At one time the Stampede exhibition was the largest beef summer show, but the large breed shows are not likely to return in their old format. Instead, the Stampede can now host large world congress events and showcase other beef shows, said David Chalack, board vice-president.
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“A lot of the equine industry will be able to commit to bringing their major events to the Stampede,” said Pete Fraser of the horse industry association.
As the city has grown up around the park, access has become tricky, so starting later this year, tunnels and new entries are to be built on the southeastern side.
Construction starts next year on the new agriculture building that will be located directly east of the grandstand. The 50-year-old agriculture building and 80-year-old Victoria Pavilion will remain standing for events until the new facilities are ready.
Money for the project comes from casino revenue, gate fees and private donations.
The construction is part of a larger plan to revitalize the 120-year-old park located in the heart of the city. Many large fairs in North America are grappling with the problem of crumbling facilities in a city centre. Some, like the Western National Stock Show in Denver, are considering relocating outside the city.
However, the Stampede did not want to remove agriculture from the site. It owns 200 acres of prime land in the middle of the city, said Chalack.
“We prefer bridging between urban and rural people rather than moving away,” he said.
