BARRHEAD - If the Alberta Trappers Association (ATA) use any of the Town of Barrhead's facilities during their 2024 Rendezvous & Outdoorsmen Show, it will be paying full price.
However, if the association chooses Barrhead for their event, it will have at least one gold-level sponsor.
On April 11, councillors denied a request from the association asking the municipality if they would consider discounting the rental fees for the Agrena, including the ice-rink surface, the Charles Godberson Rotary Room and the upstairs meeting room.
But in a separate motion, councillors agreed to become a gold-level sponsor with a $5,000 donation if the ATA did choose Barrhead to host the event.
The ATA represents over 2,200 trappers and a variety of corporate entities and related businesses within the province. It is also the only government-recognized association for trapping in Alberta.
In early March, the association approached the municipality, saying they were considering hosting their annual two-day convention and tradeshow in mid to late July at Barrhead, and asked them to consider giving them a break on the rental fees for the Agrena.
The trade show, slated for the July 12-13 weekend in 2024, usually attracts upwards of 600 people from across the province.
The current summer rental rate for the entire Agrena facility is $1,530.10 per day. The association would need the facility for four days, with one day on either side of the event to facilitate set up and clean-up.
At the March 14 council meeting, councillors tabled making a decision to give time for administration to talk to the Barrhead Agricultural Society, which the ATA also approached, to see if they wanted to join forces with the town and create a joint bid to increase the chances the association would choose Barrhead to host the event.
Chief administrative officer Edward LeBlanc said that on April 5, a delegation from the town, including himself, mayor Dave McKenzie and parks and recreation director Shallon Touet, met with representatives of the ATA.
He said the ATA told them they were happy with the Ag society's fees schedule and restated their request for a discount on the Agrena rental rates.
Coun. Don Smith asked administration how much staff time would be involved during the event.
LeBlanc replied minimal staff involvement would be required, adding the only real question is whether councillors were willing to waive all or a portion of the Agrena's rental fees.
Coun. Dave Sawatzky asked if any effort had been made to talk to the Ag society to see if they were willing to partner in a joint bid to increase Barrhead's chances.
LeBlanc said there did not seem to be a point, as the ATA said they were happy with the Ag society's fee structure and were willing to pay it, noting the association only had discussions with one other municipality in southern Alberta.
"I think what the ATA is doing is that if any community is interested in hosting the tradeshow, is just giving them a year, so there isn't really a competition," McKenzie added. "It was more about establishing terms. They were certainly impressed by what we have as a community."
Smith suggested that instead of discounting the Agrena's rental rates, the municipality could become one of the sponsors of the event.
"I get the impression, since they are happy and willing to pay for the Ag society's facilities, that they don't expect to use ours for free," he said. "The question is at what level, or how much are we comfortable with."
Coun. Rod Klumph agreed, moving the town instead donate $5,000, the minimum amount for a gold sponsorship.
Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com
