The Boyle and District Agricultural Society is reeling from the theft of a $40,000 tractor and $5,000 in other equipment three weeks before the Boyle Rodeo.
In a Facebook post, the society announced its 1660 Massey Ferguson tractor was stolen from its grounds sometime between June 30 and July 1. The break-in and theft was the second within a week, as $5,000 of equipment was stolen in a separate incident, according to society vice-president and grounds manager Alie Mitchell-Woroschuk
She said the Boyle Rodeo will still go ahead, but the society will be pressed to try to replace the equipment with the rodeo just a couple of weeks away, running July 20-22.
"Our event's still going to happen, but it's a pretty depressing time for an Ag. society to put on an event and have something like this happen," Mitchell-Woroschuk said. "Kind of puts us in a bit of a bind."
The other stolen items included picnic tables, electric heaters, herbicide, painting supplies, event tents, and office supplies, according to the society's Facebook post. There was also vandalism on the property, Mitchell-Woroschuk said.
Mitchell-Woroschuk added the tractor was insured and the society is working to replace it.
"We're hoping we can, but there's no promise," Mitchell-Woroschuk said. "Our goal is to replace it but whether that will happen in the near future, that I don't know."
The Facebook post attracted attention, with 138 people sharing it as of July 3. Mitchell-Woroschuk said since posting it, the society has received tips of people seeing the tractor.
Boyle RCMP Const. Andrew Deme said RCMP are following up on leads.
"At this point we've actually had lots of tips and information come forward already," Deme said. "Just trying to follow up on all the investigative leads at this point."
The intentions of the suspect are unknown, Deme said. He added they could try to sell the whole tractor or strip it down and sell its parts individually.
This break and enter and theft has a significant affect on the community, Deme said.
"It affects their ability to host upcoming and current events," Deme said. "These residents are dedicated to making their community an enjoyable place to live with this equipment."
Mitchell-Woroschuk said the society is exploring security options after the break-ins, adding it had been years since the last theft at the grounds.
"The problem with our rodeo grounds is we are all volunteers, we all lives," Mitchell-Woroschuk said, adding security cameras could be difficult to set up as they would have to get wi-fi to the grounds. "We're not sure at this point how we're going to set it up so this doesn't happen."
Mitchell-Woroschuk said the society is frustrated by the thievery.
"We're all very upset," she said. "As an Ag. society, it is hard for us to replace what is taken because it took us years to get what we had out there and to replace it, it just doesn't happen overnight."
Anyone with information on this crime contact the Boyle RCMP at (780) 689-4081. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
