Visitors to this year’s Calgary Stampede will be able to enjoy a new facility to learn about many aspects of agriculture.
And users of the building are thrilled to have a long-awaited permanent spot to showcase their events in what is considered a one-of-a-kind facility in Canada.
The doors of Agrium Western Event Centre officially opened June 21. The $61.2-million building in the middle of Stampede Park has a viewing arena able to accommodate 2,500 people, and seats have even been designed for an unobstructed view around cowboy hats. There isn’t a spot on the open concourse that doesn’t offer a clear view of whatever action is underway. Glassed-in suites at one end could soon become the hottest spots during the stampede thanks to their view of the racetrack. There’s also a 20,000-square-foot multi-purpose exhibit space, which can serve as a warm-up arena.
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But one of the key objectives behind the design is the education component.
“This facility shows the stampede’s commitment to the concept of bringing rural and urban together, which is challenging in today’s world,” said Bob Thompson, president and chairman of the Calgary Stampede. “It will become a community gathering place.
“A lot of science went into the development of this building,” he added. “We travelled across North America to get the ‘best of the best’ in concepts for the arena.”
That includes animal-friendly features, such as slip-resistant rough concrete floors. There are also six-foot-high solid arena walls, for improved animal and competitor safety.
- More from the Alberta Farmer Express: New agriculture building for Stampede
Ottawa and the province each contributed $25 million, and the building was finished a month ahead of schedule, despite last year’s flooding, which damaged many areas of Stampede Park.
Agrium was also a significant donor, and a big supporter of Journey 2050, a year-round classroom initiative that will focus on sustainable agriculture. It’s expected 10,000 middle school children will take in the day-long interactive program annually, which is designed to eventually go global online (www.journey2050.com).
For those who have been involved with the Calgary Stampede for many years, the building has been a long time coming.
“We were told the (former) Big Top tent was a ‘temporary facility,’” said Pete Fraser, a stampede volunteer for well over three decades and current chair of the Western Performance Horse Committee.
“It was a temporary facility that lasted 30 years, for those involved with canine, bovine and equine. But as I look at this building, it was worth the wait.”
Pam Barker has been involved for years with the sheep committee, which hosts the World Stock Dog Championships during the stampede.
“This is a much more intimate arena for us than the Saddledome,” said Barker. “People can get closer and see the dogs at work. We’re also excited to be able to have all our sheep-related activities here, under one roof.
“I love that old Agriculture Building, and there’s a lot of history there. But this modern, clean, beautiful facility makes agriculture look like it has come into the modern world,” she added with a smile.
Megan McLeod, a member of the Jumping Pound 4-H Beef Club, had a chance to be one of the first users as an exhibitor in 4-H On Parade, held prior to the official opening.
“It’s a cool, new facility,” said McLeod. “It’s a much-needed improvement over the Big Top. I started showing sheep there when I was just seven, and then beef cattle when I was nine, and I’m 18 now.
“It’s great to have everything together now. Before, when you had to go between the Ag Building and the Big Top, your fitting (of the show animal) could be ruined in two minutes. When we used it for 4-H On Parade, there was lots of room, and the wash racks were awesome.”
McLeod also shows horses, and has been to arenas across the U.S.
“This is a perfect space for both cattle and horse events with lots of potential,” she added.
Along with being the new home for Ag-tivity in the City, the centre will have a full program during the 10 days of the Calgary Stampede. Events already booked in include the Arabian Association Region Championships, the Canadian Team Roping Finals, Grassroots Finals Rodeo, and Royal West.
