By Sheldon Spackman

Calkins calls out Trudeau to drum up support for Red Deer Royals

Feb 15, 2018 | 11:30 AM

The Member of Parliament for Red Deer – Lacombe is expressing disappointment in the federal government for not stepping up to help support one of Red Deer’s best-known ambassador organizations.

Blaine Calkins rose in the House of Commons on Wednesday to recognize the Red Deer Royals Marching Band and acknowledge their nearly 50 years of performances, competitions and community appearances throughout Canada and around the world.

Just last year in fact, the Royals won a gold medal at the 2017 World Music Contest in Kerkrade, Netherlands.

However, after a decade of diligent fundraising efforts such as bottle drives and golf tournaments and collecting just over $2 million for their fieldhouse project at St. Joseph High School, the Red Deer Royals still find themselves short of the project’s $2.7 million price tag. As a result, the organization appealed to the federal government for funding under the Canada 150 program to close the gap. Unfortunately, that funding was denied.

Blaine Calkins says he has presented the Prime Minister with over 1,000 letters written by Red Deer Royals members, alumni, families and supporters, requesting the Liberal Government help support their fieldhouse project.

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“This government has no problems running massive deficits, spending billions of dollars outside of Canadian borders, yet it does not have any money for this youth group,” said Calkins. “All the Prime Minister has to do is say yes to this reasonable request and support the Red Deer Royals.”

Heidi O’Connor is President for the Red Deer Royals and says they are very thankful for everything the Royals Alumni Association has done for them.

“They’re promoting their brick campaign right now, where you can buy a $300 brick and leave a legacy to a member that you had in the Royals and so hopefully that will work for them to get some funds for the building,” adds O’Connor. We just thank everyone for their continued support and we’re also very thankful to Mr. Calkins for taking all those letters to the Prime Minister.”

O’Connor says with 2019 being the Royals 50th anniversary, a lot of exciting plans are in the works to mark the occassion.