By Troy Gillard

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Westerner Park working to regain community’s trust

Sep 9, 2020 | 8:56 PM

Westerner Park discussed their work to learn from past failures and move forward as the organization held its Annual General Meeting Wednesday evening at the Harvest Centre.

The issues that have plagued the organization have been well documented over the past year. The building of Exhibition Hall and a “financially challenging” Canadian Finals Rodeo hosting agreement helped leave Westerner Park cash-strapped even before the COVID-19 pandemic brought the hammer down.

The City of Red Deer came to the rescue earlier this year with a $2 million operating grant to keep the lights on. City council continues to hold final oversight over Westerner Park’s spending.

“This was an important opportunity to share a great deal more detail as to what led us to the circumstances that we’re in, but then, more importantly, what we’re doing about it and where we’re going,” Westerner Park CEO Mike Olesen said of Wednesday’s AGM.

Olesen says much of what’s gone on at Westerner Park over the past few months has focused on them finding their purpose as an organization.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF A TRUSTEE ADDRESSED

Day 2 of LaGrange v. Red Deer Catholic: "This is not about cancel culture," says division counsel

11h ago

conducted energy weapon utilized

RCMP arrest man after confrontation inside Bower Place

13h ago

one suspect still sought

One charged after alleged armed robbery in Bower Place parking lot

13h ago

“This crisis, not just COVID, has taught us that we’ve got to live with intent and really (get) back to our roots in being a central Alberta community organization that exists for the betterment of the community.”

He added that future success lies in not only ensuring existing events do well, but in bringing new events to the community.

“CFR is a great example, he said. “We need to find more events. We need to create events within our purpose, as well, within the spirit of agriculture and advancing economic benefits for central Alberta.”

Olesen says the recent restructuring of the hosting agreement for the CFR was a key accomplishment for Westerner Park.

“The fortunate part is that the CPRA (Canadian Professional Rodeo Association) has been very supportive about renegotiating that contract so that it is more financially sustainable and sound. This is where they want to be, that is key.

“For us it’s not about making money it’s about community. But also it’s a real key gathering component within one of the core roots of our past, which is rodeo. It’s such a powerful thing for the national championship to be here in Red Deer. We need to do so much more to celebrate that, though. You shouldn’t just have to come to Westerner Park to know that the rodeo is happening in Red Deer that week. It needs to be a week of rodeo and a week of good times in Red Deer and central Alberta, and that’s what we’re going to do.”

Some shareholders at Wednesday’s meeting shared their concern over a lack of accountability in recent years. Olesen said that didn’t come as a surprise.

“Really, it’s just symptom of Westerner Park losing its way,” he acknowledged. “But at the same the people that are here, the people that are still dedicated and committed and are Westerners understand what that community connection means and what it needs to be. But those are just words right now. At the end of the day it is absolutely critical and one of our top priorities, and I’m very confident that our shareholders will find that not being an issue at our next annual meeting.”

“Through our work with the city, we have not been able to share an awful lot, but that will change,” noted Board Chair Janice Wing in her address to shareholders. ““We also need to figure out a way to engage our shareholders and engage our community. It’s interesting, in a time when people are so connected, we couldn’t be more disconnected and that’s a huge challenge for us.”

With deadlines fast approaching, Westerner Park needs to determine what to do with employees that have been temporarily laid off during the COVID-19 pandemic. Agri-Trade will provide a boost in November. But a key factor will be the future status of hockey at the Centrium. The Red Deer Rebels won’t be playing games until December at the earliest, and the status of the World Junior Hockey Championship slated to begin on Boxing Day remains up in the air.

“At the end of the day, though, we need to be certainly 100% responsible and take control and ownership over our operations. Our resources need to be appropriate to the amount of revenue that we’re earning. That’s just the simple fact of the matter,” Olesen said.

“From a human side it’s tough because anyone at Westerner Park that has worked here generally has worked here for a very long time. They are probably some of the most committed Westerners that we have. So anytime we have to make a decision that way it’s really difficult but it’s for the betterment of the organization moving forward.”

Olesen confirmed that Westerner Park and the Rebels have finalized a new agreement that will see the Western Hockey Club continue to call the Centrium home for another seven years.

Meantime, what’s old is new again when it comes Westerner Park’s catering partner.

After launching, then scrapping, their own catering service the organization has come to terms with Red Deer Catering to have them return and take over formal catering services for Westerner Park events.

“They will be bringing their entire catering operations on site and offering a solid core service for our clients and guests,” Olesen shared.