Red Deer
Funding Secured for Westerner Park Amidst Government Review
Westerner Park welcomes a new sustainability assessment of regional agricultural societies initiated by the Government of Alberta. This study highlights the importance of regional agricultural societies to the province and the communities they serve.
In parallel, Westerner Park is proactively working towards self-sustainability with a strategic plan set to achieve this goal within three years. “This is a challenging but achievable goal for an organization of this size. With our dedicated team and clear strategy, I am confident we can find a path to sustainability,” said Shelly Flint, CEO of Westerner Park. To support this effort, four key supporters—the City of Red Deer, Red Deer County, the Westerner Park Foundation, and the Donald Family —have each committed $500,000 in interim funding.
John Donald highlighted the longstanding significance of Westerner Park to the community, noting, “Westerner Park has been a community cornerstone for over 130 years. It’s vital that we continue to engage in strong advocacy with all levels of government.”
“Supporting Westerner Park during this transitional period is crucial. The park’s events significantly benefit our community and economy,” said Mayor Ken Johnston, City of Red Deer. “Continuing these discussions with our government partners is imperative, we do not take this kind of assistance lightly; every aspect has been carefully considered.”
“Westerner Park continues to set the stage by fostering community growth through events that support agricultural initiatives, educational programs and various entertainment; while simultaneously acting as an economic driver by attracting visitors, creating job opportunities, and stimulating our local economy for the central region,” said Mayor Jim Wood, Red Deer County.
For more than a year, all parties have been collaboratively advocating for Westerner Park, the second-largest Agricultural Society in Alberta. This advocacy has not only underscored Westerner Park’s importance but also brought attention to the broader needs of other Agricultural Societies in Alberta.
The Government of Alberta is conducting a sustainability assessment of regional agricultural societies to determine how best to support agricultural societies and the work they do into the future.
“Regional agricultural societies are a huge part of Alberta, and I’m pleased to see other levels of government and community organizations stepping up to support this important community resource. The sustainability assessment will help us understand the challenges and opportunities regional ag societies face and better position our agriculture sector and rural communities for success,” said Agriculture and Irrigation Minister RJ Sigurdson.
Shelly Flint, CEO of Westerner Park, concluded, “Westerner Park remains committed to its mission of serving the community and enhancing local economic and cultural life. The ongoing support from our partners is vital as we navigate this review and work towards a sustainable future.”
ABOUT WESTERNER PARK
Westerner Park is Central Alberta’s largest tradeshow, agricultural, sports, entertainment, and convention facility. A not-for-profit organization and agricultural society, Westerner Park typically generates $150 million annually in economic activity, hosting over 1,500 events and 1.5 million visitors each year.
FUTURE PLANS
Westerner Park will continue to engage the community through events like the annual Westerner Days Fair & Exposition, agricultural shows, and various entertainment and educational programs.
From the Province of Alberta
Agricultural societies are part of the backbone of farm and rural communities. Alberta has seven regional agricultural societies in Camrose, Grande Prairie, Lethbridge, Lloydminster, Medicine Hat, Olds and Red Deer, and they play a huge role in their surrounding communities.
Regional agricultural societies are made up of Albertans who genuinely love their communities. They develop educational programs, organize major community or special events and provide services based on community needs. They run major facilities like trade centres and exhibition grounds for their people to enjoy.
To determine how best to support regional agricultural societies and the work they do into the future, the Government of Alberta has hired Deloitte to provide recommendations.
“Regional agricultural societies are a huge part of Alberta communities and a lot has changed since they were established more than a century ago. We know they do great work. Now we need to understand their challenges and opportunities to better position our agriculture sector and rural communities for success.”
Support for regional ag societies
In Budget 2024-25, Alberta’s government provided $11.5 million for the Agricultural Societies Grant Program, including $2.8 million to regional societies. The government also provides funding for agricultural societies to make major repairs to infrastructure through the Agricultural Societies Infrastructure Revitalization Program. In 2023, 34 agricultural societies received a total $2.5 million.
The study will be funded through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership’s (Sustainable CAP) Resiliency and Public Trust program.
Sustainable CAP is a five-year, $3.5-billion investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen competitiveness, innovation and resiliency in Canada’s agriculture, agri-food and agri-based products sector.
Quick facts
- Alberta has 291 agricultural societies, the most in Canada.
- Alberta is the first Canadian province to declare a special day for its agricultural societies.
- September 21 is Agricultural Societies Day in Alberta, recognizing the hard work of these volunteer-driven, non-profit organizations.
A new team of Alberta Sheriffs will work alongside police to keep crime out of central Alberta communities by targeting problem properties.
Since 2023, Alberta’s government has invested more than $27 million to help fight crime throughout the province. Building on these efforts, the government is now expanding the Alberta Sheriffs’ Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN) unit with the creation of a new team of investigators in Red Deer. The creation of the Red Deer SCAN team is the latest in a series of measures aimed at enhancing public safety and increasing the Alberta Sheriffs’ ability to support police throughout the province.
The move puts more resources on the ground with a team of qualified experts who will investigate properties where illegal activity has been reported and shut them down through court orders when needed. The Red Deer SCAN team – made up of four Alberta Sheriffs – joins existing SCAN teams in Calgary, Edmonton, and Lethbridge, which have proven immensely effective in working alongside local police to shutter problem properties throughout the province.
“Alberta’s government will always maintain a zero-tolerance stance toward crime of any kind, and the expansion of the Alberta Sheriffs’ SCAN unit reflects that. With the creation of a new SCAN team in Red Deer, we’re expanding the unit’s coverage even further and putting more boots on the ground where they’re needed. Let this be a message to all criminals: you are not welcome here. Communities in the Red Deer area have a right not to be plagued by drug and other criminal activity that create dangerous environments, and Alberta’s government will do whatever it takes to keep people safe.”
The Sheriffs’ SCAN unit operates under the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act, which uses legal sanctions and court orders to hold owners accountable for illegal activity happening on their property, such as drug trafficking, human trafficking and child exploitation. SCAN augments and supports local police to both investigate and close properties where evidence of criminal activity has been confirmed.
“Ensuring safety for law-abiding Albertans is of utmost importance for Alberta’s government and requires a comprehensive approach to effectively combat and prevent criminal activity. This involves enhancing law-enforcement resources, fostering community engagement, implementing crime prevention programs, and promoting collaboration between Alberta Sheriffs and local police. This SCAN team is a game-changer in central Alberta and puts criminals on notice that they are not welcome here.”
“The Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act holds property owners accountable for activities on their property that threaten public safety. Alberta’s SCAN teams support policing efforts by addressing illegal activities on these properties. This additional team will enhance RCMP community safety programs.”
When a community member reports a problem property to SCAN, the unit begins an investigation. Once the investigation confirms the activity, investigators contact the property owner to try and resolve the issue informally. If informal efforts are unsuccessful, SCAN can apply to the courts for a community safety order to impose restrictions and conditions on the property and its owner, which could include closing the property for up to 90 days. Any criminal activity uncovered when dealing with these properties is turned over to the police to investigate.
“Over the years, SCAN’s impact on community safety has been profound. More often than not, we see individuals in these problem properties carrying out drug operations and other criminal activities beside homes, schools, playgrounds and other places where Albertans’ safety should never be in question. Crime has no place in any Alberta neighbourhood, and we look forward to working with our policing partners in the Red Deer area to help keep central Alberta communities safe.”
SCAN continues to see tremendous success, having closed problem properties in Lethbridge, Calgary, Spruce Grove and Medicine Hat in the last six months alone. Since May 2024, Alberta’s government has publicly announced the closure of seven problem properties by SCAN, including three in Calgary, two in Lethbridge, and one each in Spruce Grove and Medicine Hat.
“Creating a safer environment for our citizens improves the overall quality of our community in Red Deer. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Alberta’s government, SCAN and all our law enforcement partners who work tirelessly every day to keep our communities safe. This is great news for the City of Red Deer, and together, we can make our community safer. I encourage residents to report any suspicious activity to the SCAN unit.”
The Red Deer SCAN team’s operational boundaries encompass the city of Red Deer and its surrounding communities and rural areas, providing coverage to the central area spanning Ponoka to the north and Olds to the south.
Festival of Trees tickets are on sale now! Get ’em while they’re hot!
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