Hopes growing for indoor rodeo style event at Energy Centre

The City of Cold Lake will send a letter of support in the Ag Society’s hopes to do an indoor rodeo style event at the Cold Lake Energy Centre.

The Ag Society is seeking federal grant funding from the Department of Canadian Heritage, and requires that cash, or in-kind support, from the host’s municipality is secured beforehand to be eligible.

They are working toward a goal of a bulls and broncs type of show in May of next year.

However, nothing is set in stone, as the Ag Society works to finalize many details before officially announcing an event.

“We’ve always wanted to do a rodeo and why not?” said Mayor Craig Copeland on The Morning After. 

“This is a long conversation that has been going for a couple years. We have this Imperial Place Arena, beautiful arena, it’s designed for multiple sports. The thought was from council, could we do a rodeo from inside the arena? Working with the Ag Society — we want them to be the lead, this is what they do –we’re working on what the cost is going to be for council to make decisions. And the Ag Society board also has to look at the numbers and say, are we in.” 

City notes say they could provide up to $40,000 worth of work in tearing down and building up what’s needed.

Dirt is a big part of it.

Part of the City’s value would be ordering the 568 cubic yards of footing material.

The hope would be this is a two-day event, with potentially elements of a dance or beer gardens as well.