The Stampede and the Future

The Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede has concluded for 2023. Rides were ridden. Broncs were bucked. Food was eaten. Many Hatters look forward to the annual celebration of our western heritage and agricultural roots.

While understanding our history is important, one must also question the purpose of things as our community evolves. There are those that question the rodeo and treatment of animals. There are those that question the amount the MHES takes from community organizations that hold raffles under their license (40% of all revenues from Stampede raffles go to the MHES). There are those that question why the MHES charges non-profit community organizations the same as for-profit groups to use their facilities. There are those that question that beyond the 4 day Stampede event itself, what does the MHES actually give back to the agricultural community and the community as a whole?

The MHES asking for public funds, whether through a $1 a year lease agreement, or an ask for funds to build a new grandstand, is a big ask. The MHES asking for taxpayer funds to build something without a real cost benefit analysis being done is an ask to big to support.

A conversation was had with the Past President and previous GM after the plans to build a new grandstand were announced. When asked where the business plan was, I was told to speak to the current GM, before he was the current GM, and not a current member of the board. Why would an unelected member of an organization be in charge of decision making?

When you compare how the Lethbridge exhibition group went about getting the whole community together to propose their new Agri-Food Hub and Trade Centre and secure funding, it was a team effort. They approached the business sector, they approached the city, they approached many stakeholders and then formed a group to approach the provincial government as a unified front. In our community the MHES unilaterally proceeded with an announcement to build a $35 million dollar project before talking with city hall or the community as a whole and assumed money would magically appear.

The MHES is an important part of our community and should survive and thrive. There are good things about the organization that should be supported. Many volunteers give of their valuable time to ensure the organization can put on the 4 day event. Unfortunately their weakness as an organization has been transparency, community inclusion and allowing outside voices to come to the table.

Over many years, I have had discussions with current shareholders and past directors. They feel that the organization is a top-down, don't rock the boat kind of place. The "old boys" rule the roost they say. I have had discussions with ranchers and farmers about the organization and its purpose and they can't articulate what it is the MHES does for them.

The new lease agreement signed with the city asked for the MHES to provide a copy of their financials on an annual basis for transparency. My sources in city hall say they have yet to provide financial statements to the city or council to meet the terms of the lease.

Two neighbouring Exhibition groups, Calgary and Red Deer, have their financials published online for the world to see. Lethbridge used to but not any further, possibly due to recent changes in the organizational structure. Why not the MHES? I was told in so many words that its none of my business.

The taxpayer of Medicine Hat, and Alberta, is being asked to help fund a project that no one can objectively argue is needed in our community. Many of our convention facilities are under utilized. The MHES has the Cypress Centre facility and its not booked on a consistent basis. We already hold trade shows there so why do we need another facility? We have a $75 million arena that is used for hockey and a few other events. It has recently held a large, multi-day religious conference. And then there is the question of what has the MHES raised to this point and what are they committing to the project before the city or provincial government commits to providing funds?

If the MHES is to survive long-term it needs to engage the community as a whole and build community partnerships and consensus to get the support it wants from the community. At this point, this taxpayer doesn't want another dime going to the MHES until they are willing to engage in a truly community inclusive and transparent discussion on the project.

I welcome the MHES to comment if they feel they need to clarify their position. That's the point of the Sun City Sentinel. It's to foster open, respectful discussion and debate on issues that impact our great community. Let's see where this conversation goes.