A new night of bull riding could be coming to Bonnyville later this summer.

Chad Colbourne and Shawn Metchewais, organizers of Lakeland Xtreme Broncs & Bulls, appeared before Bonnyville Town Council on June 23 to pitch Xtreme Bulls Night Out, a one-night Bull Riders Canada-sanctioned event they hope to host at the Bonnyville Agricultural Society grounds on Aug. 29.

If approved, the event would feature 24 to 30 professional bull riders, junior barrel racing, food vendors, beer gardens and a live dance following the competition.

“We thought, why not Bonnyville?” Colbourne told council. “We wanted to bring a part of our event into town, utilize the Bonnyville Ag Society grounds and put on a bull show.”

Unlike the annual Lakeland Xtreme Broncs & Bulls event held at the Energy Centre in Cold Lake, the Bonnyville event would focus exclusively on bull riding, creating a more intimate evening while giving local fans another opportunity to experience the sport.

Looking to build another community event

The organizers said their goal isn’t simply to host another rodeo, but to create an event people will look forward to every year.

“We want to make this one of the signature events in this town,” Metchewais said. “Generally speaking, it’s about a three-year process before this really goes where it needs to go.”

He said community support is a major reason they believe Bonnyville is a good fit.

“I really think this town is so good at supporting their events,” he said. “You’ve got to create an experience. You’ve got to be better than the next event. You’ve got to create excitement and put on a good show.”

Building on success in Cold Lake

Colbourne shared the journey of Lakeland Xtreme Broncs & Bulls, which launched in Cold Lake two years ago.

While this year’s event didn’t turn a profit, he said it continued to provide fundraising opportunities for local organizations and was well received by competitors and fans alike.

“Unfortunately for us, we lost money this year,” Colbourne said. “But none of our user groups that we bring in to help us put the event on lost a drop of money.”

He explained that organizations helping with gates, concessions and other event duties were still able to raise money for their own programs.

Metchewais added that the Cold Lake event was recently voted the third-best Bull Riders Canada event in Western Canada by competitors and rodeo personnel.

Seeking Town support

The delegation asked council to consider helping with startup costs for the Bonnyville event, including renting the Agricultural Society grounds and relocating the existing rodeo chutes to improve spectator viewing.

Rather than bringing in temporary infrastructure, the organizers hope to reposition the current chutes, creating a better fan experience while leaving a lasting improvement at the grounds.

Chief Administrative Officer Quinton Wintfley asked about the event’s sanctioning, and Metchewais explained it would operate under Bull Riders Canada, one of the country’s premier professional bull riding organizations.

Councillors also asked questions about attendance, scheduling, logistics and the proposed sponsorship.

Mayor Elisa Brosseau thanked the presenters for bringing the idea forward and for their efforts to create new opportunities in the community.

Council did not make a decision during the meeting. The sponsorship request will return for consideration at a future council meeting.

If approved, Xtreme Bulls Night Out would become the first event of its kind held in Bonnyville and could mark the beginning of another annual summer attraction for the community.