Central Alberta rodeo group unveils plans for new VIP booths

ZONDRE – The Sundre Rodeo and Race Association recently unveiled their latest plan to further upgrade the venue by doubling the size of the VIP booths at a barbecue to recognize sponsors, just in time for the event’s 45th edition next year.

Dozens of people – including sponsors, as well as local dignitaries and association members – attended the steak barbecue hosted on Sunday, June 2, at the Wild Horse Saloon on the rodeo grounds.

The crowd heard that thanks to a $125,000 grant through the provincial government’s Community Facility Enhancement Program (CFEP), rodeo sponsors and event VIPs will be able to enjoy an enhanced viewing experience from the covered seating area just behind the chutes starting in 2025. to eight.

The new covered grandstand, complete with broadcast booth, will replace the existing structure that was built in 1987 behind slides one to four, and is intended – provided everything works out – to be moved and reinstalled on the other side of the arena, replacing an uncovered landing. spectator stand just adjacent to the covered main stand.

Speaking to those attending the barbecue, association president Shane Crouch said the Sundre Pro Rodeo would not be feasible without the financial support of sponsors, not to mention the helping hands of some 150 volunteers.

“This isn’t just a sponsorship dinner, this is kind of for our volunteers and our committee members and just a way to say thank you to everyone,” Crouch said.

After tallying the number of sponsors in the lead-up to the barbecue, Crouch said the count had reached more than 100, with the majority coming from Sundre and the surrounding area.

“For a small community like Sundre, I am beyond proud,” he said.

Crouch is pleased to be able to publicly announce the association’s plans for the new VIP seating area for sponsors and said an application has been submitted to the Alberta government’s CFEP grant fund.

According to the provincial government, CFEP funding provides financial support to expand, purchase or build public community facilities.

“With all the sponsors we have on board, we are running out of space to seat everyone,” Crouch said, adding that MLA Jason Nixon, who also attended the barbecue, played a role in securing the funding.

“We would have done it this year, but we didn’t know about the grant until the end of March and there’s a lot of paperwork and stuff to go through to get it approved,” he said.

But the new stands are expected to be completed in time for the 45th anniversary edition of the Sundre Pro Rodeo in 2025, he added.

“We are very excited about that,” he says.

Nixon said that as a representative of Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre, he is always amazed at the community spirit of the Sundre and the area.

“We not only live in the most beautiful place in the world, we live in the best community,” Nixon said.

“We can’t do these things that make our community great without everyone coming together – the sponsors, the volunteers – everyone working tirelessly to put on important events like these that put Sundre on the map every year,” he said.

“I’m a little biased – I represent a lot of cities and places that have rodeos – but I honestly believe outside of Ponoka that the Sundre rodeo is the best; it is certainly the best in the constituency,” he said.

Grant Doyle, brand owner of Buckle Vodka, the official vodka of the National Finals Rodeo, was among the sponsors who didn’t seem to hesitate in supporting Sundre’s rodeo.

“It’s not just about the money; it’s about the people,” Doyle told the newspaper Albertan just before the speeches in response to the question of what prompted his company to sponsor the professional rodeo.

“People don’t sponsor things because they can throw money at them,” he said, adding that it’s all about relationships.

The 44th edition of this year’s rodeo will take place next weekend, June 21 to 23.

With work commencing last autumn to remove some trees and reseed and level the north-west corner of the site to expand the camping area, there will now also be much more space to accommodate not only participants, but also spectators coming outside. their campers for the weekend.

And while rodeo fans can of course still expect the option to pay cash at the gates, the association was also pleased to announce the brand new ability to purchase tickets online through a Calgary-based company called Showpass, according to Scott Smith, vice president -president.

Additionally, this year the association replaced the outdated and faded street light banners created in 2013 with a brand new reprint featuring the same traditional design, but updated.

“It’s nice to see them bright, clear and sharp,” said Smith, who added the banners not only to promote the professional rodeo but also to add an aesthetic element that helps beautify the city.

While the association appreciates not only sponsors but also fans who do not hesitate to pay their ticket, the board also strives to foster that spirit of generosity. In 2023, the association donated nearly $16,300 back to the community, he said.

The rodeo also has a substantial economic ripple effect throughout the community, with the borough’s economic development department estimating spending on spinoffs in local businesses at approximately $2 million.