INNISFAIL - The Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR) moving to Red Deer is welcome news for local rodeo and Central Alberta businesses.
On Jan. 16 it was announced that the annual rodeo, which has been held at Northlands in Edmonton for 44 years, would be coming to Westerner Park in Red Deer.
"It’s going to be a huge shot in the arm for the economy for Red Deer and the surrounding communities,” said J. Dustin Daines, one of the organizers of the Innisfail Pro Rodeo. "Realistically it will certainly be good for our rodeo as well.”
The events won’t overlap -- the Innisfail rodeo is in June, while the CFR will run Oct. 30 to Nov. 4 at the Centrium in Red Deer.
He said it will probably help continue to build and grow the Innisfail Pro Rodeo, and noted the Daines family’s support of the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association. He noted the quality of the stock suppliers who are already at the Innisfail event, like the Calgary Stampede and Kesler Championship Rodeo.
The Canadian Finals Rodeo is not the only new rodeo event coming to Central Alberta. Kyle Daines, who organizes the event A Night at the Ranch, just got word his event will now be an official Canadian Professional Rodeo Association bull riding event.
"The prize money will be $10,000,” he said of the May event. The money won by the bull riders at the ranch will get to count towards their totals for the season.
A Night at the Ranch has acted as a fundraiser for causes like the Innisfail Eagles and the Ty Pozzobon Foundation.
"This year we’re going to continue to give back,” Kyle said, adding the event will include activities on Friday and Saturday.
Kyle said the CFR coming to Red Deer means the best rodeo in Canada will be available for viewing at the Centrium.
"It’s something big for Red Deer,” he said.
Regional political leaders said it’s too early to gauge just how much Innisfail and Penhold will benefit from the introduction of the CFR into the region, but it will likely have some impact.
"I think it’s going to be great for the area,” said Innisfail mayor Jim Romane. "Central Alberta’s gain and Edmonton’s loss.”
Romane said he’s hoping Innisfail can work with Red Deer tourism.
Penhold mayor Mike Yargeau said with no hotels or similar services in town, it’s unclear how Penhold could benefit -- but it’s likely there will be some kind of impact, he said.
"Obviously it’s going to be some,” he said, noting if the CFR was taking place in the summer, it’s likely the campground would have been booming.
"Obviously it’s great news for Central Alberta, but we don’t really know what it means for Penhold,” he said.
J. Dustin Daines, organizer for the Innisfail Pro Rodeo
"It's going to be a huge shot in the arm for the economy for Red Deer and the surrounding communities. Realistically it will certainly be good for our rodeo as well."
