Critics say city shouldn’t help fund Medicine Hat Stampede fixes, upgrades

The Stampede has asked the city for financial help to fix an aging north grandstand that it says threatens to end its ability to host large-scale outdoor events through the year.

That proposal is valued at $9,770,100 and would be funded via an $11,908,040 grant and an interest-free loan of $6 million over 25 years, according to a report to council.

A second proposal from the Stampede requests even more money to build a multi-purpose room, a deck and maintenance on the south grandstand that will allow it to operate 365 days a year.

The agricultural society is counting on the city and the Alberta government to each provide 40 per cent of the cash required for the chosen proposal while it covers the remaining project budget.

While similar organizations in Calgary, Red Deer and Lethbridge all publish financial information, the MHES gives only limited access — such as in a document included in a council report.

For Elder, that’s not enough transparency for an organization that also receives $400,000 a year in provincial operational funding and wants money from the city.

When he brought that up with the Stampede, Elder was told it wasn’t his business.

Milvia Bauman, a former chamber of commerce president, says the organization should be more transparent if it wants support.

“You have to show that you’re capable and that you’re sustainable with your finances,” Bauman said.

The organization has also for several years refused to publish attendance data from its main summer festival in response to CHAT News requests.

The Stampede has existed in some form for over 130 years and is a major contributor to the regional economy.

A report from Serecon Inc. says the Stampede had a $14 to $17 million impact to the Alberta economy in 2023. That number is expected to rise to between $15 and $20.7 million for 2026.

Table via Serecon report

However, that same third-party report calls for changing the organization’s governance system by handing community groups more representation on its board.

The Stampede would get four seats on the board of the directors. Six other spots would be filled from community groups appointed by the city.

Currently, the city only has a non-voting, advisory role on the board, a seat filled by council representative Coun. Andy McGrogan.

Council at its last meeting deferred debating the funding ask until the Alberta government reveals its plans for agricultural societies based on a recent sustainability study. That’s expected by the end of March.

McGrogan said he will when the topic does return to council in the near future.

“It’s a large ask from the community and citizens should be wary of it and so should council,” McGrogan said.

“That is what’s taken so long, we’ve asked for a lot of information.”

Staff recommended the City of Medicine Hat cover half the cost to reconstruct the broken grandstand with a grant.

However, that money is contingent on the province pitching in 40 per cent and the Stampede raising the rest through private donations or other regional municipalities.

The Stampede would also have to agree to a revamp of its governance structure that included permanent city representation on its board.

The scope, design and budget of the project must be mutually determined by the Stampede and the city. That includes collaboratively selecting a project manager.

General Manager of the Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede Ron Edwards poses during a recent media availability. Eli J. Ridder/CHAT News

McGrogan is looking forward to asking questions during council deliberations.

“What the end of the day will it cost to just replace the grandstand? What is the portion that the city would pay?” McGrogan asked.

“It’s going to be a tough decision for sure.”

The Stampede has come before city council several times since 2022 with the organization’s plans to make essential infrastructure upgrades to save its operations.

Drew Barnes, a former local MLA now tied to a utilities ratepayer group, said the city should pitch in on helping the Stampede fix the broken grandstand only.

Barnes pointed out the organization “has long been a significant contributor to what makes our Medicine Hat so special” but criticized the multi-purpose room proposal.

“Any foray into a commercial kitchen and competing with Medicine Hat restaurants and catering should not be supported by our tax dollars,” he said.

Catering at the Stampede has been exclusively provided by Shooting Star Events since 1989.

Elder, the financial planner, says when council needs to put the community first once the Stampede’s request is up for deliberation.

“Think very seriously about the priorities that this community has right now,” Elder said.

“For that amount of money, it should be where does the city get the best return socially and financially for the dollars that you might spend.”

Council did not include a request from HALO Air Ambulance for $500,000 over two years in its last budget update. The Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter Society has also asked council for financial support.

The Stampede’s general manager Ron Edwards declined to comment for this article.

by Eli J. Ridder

Critics say city shouldn’t help fund Medicine Hat Stampede fixes, upgrades

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