Wheatland County council held a public hearing regarding the proposed rezoning of some 146 acres from Agriculture General District to Direct Control District for the future development of a western events centre for the Strathmore and District Agricultural Society ahead of the regular Tuesday, June 21 council meeting.
The development site is within the boundaries of Wheatland County, about a half mile east of the Town of Strathmore, and will have multiple uses across three development cells; this will include a riding arena, day and overnight parking areas, along with livestock stalls and rough stock enclosures.
“Land redesignation is a critical step to laying the foundation for a facility which will become the heart of western heritage-real western heritage-in Canada,” Strathmore and District Ag Society general manager Ryan Schmidt shared during the public hearing.
Planning and Development planner Taylor Feltz noted the parcel is broken down into three development cells which will be used for different purposes.
Cell 1 will be used for more intense purposes, including the main Western Events Centre building. This will contain a riding arena, livestock stalls and roughstock enclosures, commercial kitchen and concession

areas, office and event space, and parking. Cell 2 will primarily be used for overflow and short term overnight parking for event participants, and Cell 3 is intended for a year-round rodeo school, livestock grazing, and other agricultural operations.
A total of five submissions-three in opposition and two neither in favour nor opposed-were received prior to first

reading of the bylaw; no further comments were received from adjacent landowners prior to the public hearing, however, the Town of Strathmore wrote a letter “generally supporting the proposal.”
Three landowners took to the podium during the public hearing. One landowner, who had previously submitted a letter of neutrality regarding the development, wished to have his concerns registered on record; among those concerns were plans for stormwater management on the property as it is prone to water retention, and both physical and bio security for adjacent properties.
Other concerns brought forward were the impacts increased traffic to the site would have on Range Road 250 and Township Road 244, and whether current infrastructure such as water and sewer would be able to handle the proposed development.
Council unanimously passed second and third reading with an amendment to move solar panel structure ground mounts and towers from permitted to discretionary use.

Some of the most robust and well-trained horses and most skillful drivers will be demonstrating their abilities on July 23 at the Verdant Valley Hall.
The Verdant Valley Agricultural Society has invited back teams and drivers for a chore horse competition. This event demonstrates the horse and driver’s ability to undertake chore tasks as they expertly navigate a course.
The Society brought in the event in 2016, but took a hiatus. The event returned last summer and saw about 300 come out to enjoy the show.
“There are somewhere between 10-12 teams which will be there with a range of drivers,” said Lynn Hemming of the Verdant Valley Ag Society.
They have invited teams and drivers from across the province. The sport brings a mix of young and old drivers commanding their teams.
“There are some young people from our community who are teamsters, as well veteran people as well as people from various parts of Alberta competing,” she said. “We had a lot of people last year who came for the first time, we hope some will return but is also exciting to welcome people who haven’t seen it.”
These are two-horse teams, typically Belgians, Percherons, thoroughbred crosses, and Clydesdales. They are taken through a course that emulates chores such as opening and closing gates, backing and hooking up loads and pulling through a course.
While it isn’t as fast-paced as some equine events, spectators are amazed at the abilities of the horse and driver to manoeuvre with such precision. They aim to complete the course in 15 minutes.
The event starts at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 23 at the Verdant Valley Hall on Highway 576 About 15 kilometres east of Drumheller. There is no charge to attend. Along with the Chore Horse competition, there will be a concession as well as activities for youngsters. Hemming says it is a family-friendly event, and to make sure you dress for the weather. There are some bleachers on site, but attendees are well-advised to bring lawn chairs. They ask that attendees not bring pets.