By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

Negotiations continue over future of pro chuckwagon racing in Rocky

Dec 10, 2018 | 3:15 PM

It’s possible a staple summer event in Rocky Mountain House over the last decade could move elsewhere.

Brad Smith, President of the Rocky Mountain Chuckwagon Association (RMCA), says he has a proposal from Red Deer’s Westerner Park to relocate the annual ‘Battle of the Rockies’ competition there from the North Saskatchewan River Park.

The RMCA currently has one year left on its current contract with the World Professional Chuckwagon Association (WPCA) to run the event in Rocky Mountain House, but issues with rental fees have created a tenuous situation.

Currently, the Town of Rocky Mountain House leases the chuckwagon track at the North Saskatchewan River Park to the Rocky Agricultural and Stampede Society (RASA), who then sub-leases it to users who wish to hold events there, such as the RMCA and its Battle of the Rockies.

“RASA wants a per day deal,” says Smith. “We paid them $3000 a day last year, and $500 for a non-race day, and that’s what RASA wants us to pay in 2019.”

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Meanwhile, the Town has proposed that once its deal with RASA is up in Oct. 2020, it could take over operating the track again and charge the RMCA rent based on how many tickets they sell, rather than a flat rate.

“I told RASA and the Town I want a contract now. I told them that a month ago and I still haven’t got it,” Smith says. “If they don’t get their things organized, we will be somewhere else because we can’t wait any longer, and Westerner Park has to know, too. We also have to fulfill our contract with the WPCA. We don’t want to do this, but if we have to, we will.”

A spokesperson for Westerner Park declined comment.

Town of Rocky Mountain House CAO Dean Krause believes all parties involved can come to a resolution that works for everyone.

“Absolutely. We received a letter from the (RMCA) this week committing $110,000 to the park for a CFEP grant application, so positive steps have been taken already,” Krause says. “We have three parties willing to sit down, coordinate and cooperatively figure out how we can best move ahead with the park.”

The RMCA hasn’t actually cut a cheque just yet, and that wouldn’t happen until the government approves the grant application. RASA has also committed $30,000. Krause notes that council’s strategic plan outlines $1.4 million worth of upgrades at the NSRP including putting a roof over the seating area.

RASA President Gary Duft says they’ve never raised the rent for the RMCA.

“We have charged them the same rent fee since their event came to town, as we need to have that rental for upkeep to the infield, which is how any business is run. RMCA rentals for the grounds cost them $12,000 for their show and a damage deposit and expectations on a contract to follow for use of the facility,” Duft explains.

“When the downturn in the economy happened, we actually, one year, did not charge them rent as it was tough getting sponsorship for RMCA and RASA to host their events. Once things started to look like it turned around, we went back to a rental fee of the above number.”

Duft, Krause and Smith all agree it’s important that the event stays in Rocky Mountain House.

“It does well and brings money into the town and creates revenue for local businesses. The threat of the event leaving town seems to me more of a personal gain and not for the community. If this was for the community, this would be dealt with by now and things would proceed as normal,” adds Duft. “If we lost this event, it would be a huge blow to this community. As a community member, it kind of puts Rocky on the map for a sporting event and we want people to enjoy Rocky and its beauty.”