MOUNTAIN VIEW COUNTY - County council has reviewed draft leases for the Water Valley Stampede Association (WVSA) and the Venturers Society of Calgary related to the existing county-owned Water Valley rodeo grounds.
Mountain View County has historically held a lease agreement with the WVSA for the lands located at NE 26-29-6-5. That agreement recently expired.
In December 2023, a delegation from the non-profit Venturers Society of Calgary appeared before council saying the society is interested in opening a facility in Mountain View County.
The society helps adults with disabilities take part in purposeful outdoor work activities, strengthening the health and wellness of participants through peer group engagement while contributing to the community-at-large.
The society has already received a $100,000 commitment from the owner of the Cremona-area Heritage Centre towards the development of a Venturers host site based in Mountain View County, council heard.
Following the delegation appearance, council passed a motion directing administration to “bring back a report to council to identify any county land located in the west country that could fit the parameters as presented by the Venturers Society.”
In May council provided direction to administration to work with the WVSA and the Venturers Society to “develop lease agreements that would permit for their operations on county-owned lands in the Water Valley area.”
Since that time administration has had several conversations with the groups regarding the matter.
“Both groups have identified that the preferred solution is to share the north portion of lands which would allow for less serving costs, annual maintenances opportunities for the Venturers to undertake on behalf of WVSA, and the ability for the organizations to collaborate on things such as washroom facilities,” said Chris Atchison, county director of legislative services.
Administration has drafted two lease agreements, one for WVSA and one for the Venturers Society, which came before council at the Oct. 23 meeting for discussion.
The proposed 25-year draft WVSA lease would allow the association to use the rodeo grounds for the annual rodeos and similar agricultural events, such as 4-H activities.
The lease has numerous provisions, including that the lessee “shall be permitted to operate rodeo-related activities during the rodeo period including without limitations, concessions, trade merchants, limited children’s midway rides and games and playground, like entertainment and dances. The lessee shall be permitted to operate a beer garden on the leased premises provided that all required provincial permits, licences and approvals are obtained and adhered to.”
After reviewing the draft lease, council carried a motion “That council direct administration to amend the Water Valley Stampede Association lease to allow for more than one rodeo be exempted from the public event bylaw requirements.”
The lease with the Venturers Society also has numerous provisions, including that the “lessee shall be permitted to place, maintain, repair and construct related facilities on the leased premises, including shelters, offices, washrooms/outhouses, storage facilities and other buildings associated with the program. No overnight accommodation are permitted on the leased premises. Parking is not permitted for any activities related to the program on Rge. Rd. 61a or Highway 579.”
After reviewing that draft lease, council carried a motion “That council request administration amend the Venturers Society lease agreement to require compliance with provincial and/or federal laws, including any applicable WCB and OH&S legislation.”
Both leases call for annual rents of one dollar.
The leases will be brought back before council at an upcoming meeting for further consideration.
The draft leases are available for viewing on the county’s website.
