Stampede officials ask city to help fund new grandstand and convention centre project

Oct 4, 2023 | 10:46 AM

MEDICINE HAT — Officials with the Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede made their pitch for funding for a new grandstand project to Medicine Hat city council last night.

The project was first announced more than 2 years ago, and the province did commit some money to assist with preliminary work, but Stampede General Manager Ron Edwards said the city needs to be invested in the project for further provincial money to become available.

The province would be asked to pay 40 per cent, with the city contributing the other 40 per cent, and the remainder in the form of an interest free loan.

Edwards feels the economic impact of the rebuilt grandstand and convention centre would be of benefit to everyone.

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“We bring in close to $20 million a year with all the events that we do have, and we’re at that point at that particular venue where the north grandstand needs to be replaced and the south grandstand needs a lot of TLC” says Edwards.

The north grandstand was built in 1966 and the south grandstand was completed in 1979.

The proposed plans would expand the grandstand area to roughly 5,000 seats, an upgrade from the 4,200 seats that are currently available.

Edwards says their proposed funding model is the same as was used to pay for a new facility in Lethbridge that opened this past summer.
Council received the presentation for information, and will take time before making a decision.

The General Manager says time is of the essence as the province would need to include the project in it’s budget for 2024.

by Brian Konrad

Stampede officials ask city to help fund new grandstand and convention centre project

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