Is it the Right Time to Build a new Trade Centre at Exhibition Park? (Part 1)

For 120 years, the Lethbridge & District Exhibition has provided programming and facilities focused on agricultural, social, entertainment, cultural and economic needs of Lethbridge and Southern Alberta. Over this time the population of the area has increased dramatically and while facilities/programming have been added at Exhibition Park trying to keep pace, arguably, present buildings are old and inadequate. The Board of Directors of Lethbridge & District Exhibition approved an exciting new development plan for Exhibition Park. This plan represents 3 years of comprehensive examination which included a financial review, facility condition audit of all buildings, needs and market assessments, and finally a multiple accounts evaluation framework study to arrive at the preferred site for redevelopment. Along with conceptual designs of a new Trade Centre, the redevelopment plan contains a thoroughly vetted business case which demonstrates long term sustainability. The speakers will contend that the next step of the plan involves community engagement and gathering letters of support for the project and that success will ultimately depend on funding support from all three levels of government. Speakers: Rudy Friesen and Michael Wuchterl Rudy Friesen was raised on a farm south of Saskatoon. After attending the University of Saskatchewan, his career in the exhibition industry began in Saskatoon as Prairieland’s Agriculture Manager in 1993. He served as President of the Board of the Saskatchewan Association of Agricultural Societies and Exhibitions in 1995/96. In 1999, Rudy moved to the Swift Current Exhibition as General Manager and in 2002 he became General Manager at Exhibition Park in Lethbridge, a position he still holds today. Michael Wuchterl was born and raised in Edmonton, AB. He played hockey in the WHL from 2003-08 with the Silvertips, Giants and Hurricanes. Mike won a Memorial Cup with the Vancouver Giants in 2007 and then moved on to play with University of Lethbridge Pronghorns, where he suffered a career ending injury. From then on, Mike transitioned into working as a business professional in marketing and promotions with Clear Sky Radio in Lethbridge. In 2015, he became Supervisor of Marketing & Sales at Exhibition Park. Moderator: Taren Hager Date: Monday, Nov 26, 2018 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Exhibition Park, Main Pavillion Saddle Room, 3401 Parkside Drive South Lethbridge Cost: $10 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required Many thanks to Exhibition Park for kindly donating the lunch making it possible for SACPA to charge a minimal $10 per person, which in turn will support SACPA’s annual Xmas donation to community groups. SACPA will donate the total amount to the Lethbridge’s food banks Christmas Food Hamper program.