MOUNTAIN VIEW COUNTY - County council has authorized the Water Valley Stampede Association to permit the Cremona School graduating committee to use the Water Valley rodeo grounds for the committee’s 2023 safe grad event.
The move came by way of motion at the recent regularly scheduled council meeting, held in person and on zoom.
The association was recently approached by the committee seeking permission to use the rodeo grounds.
“As this request is outside the parameters of the existing lease arrangements with the association, administration is seeking direction from council if it will be permitted in 2023,” chief administrative officer Jeff Holmes said in a briefing note to council.
“Organizers will be required to meet with administration to discuss any proposed impacts and to ensure compliance with Mountain View County’s special events bylaw.”
Deputy reeve Greg Harris is the councillor for Division 2, which includes the Water Valley area.
“The plan is to stay overnight,” Harris told council. “Parents will stay overnight. The gate will be manned throughout the event to prevent unwanted or uninvited people arriving.”
Proof of insurance will need to be provided under the special events bylaw, council heard.
The rodeo grounds are located off Highway 579 or the Harold Creek Road near Camp Kindle southwest of Cremona.
Updated lease negotiations underway
Meanwhile, negotiations between the association and the county are ongoing for a new lease agreement of the county-owned rodeo grounds.
“During discussions for the new lease, the association has requested changes to the previous lease agreement that would permit for the association to lease the land year-round with the intention of hosting additional rodeo events and related activities, including without limit, concessions, trade merchants, limited children’s midway rides and games and a children’s playground,” Holmes said.
“Further, the new lease proposal would also grant permission for the lease lands to be rented by the association to support community activities such as family reunions, gatherings, weddings, and for the development of rodeo competitors in the form of clinics or specialized rodeo events like junior rodeos.”
Council passed a motion instructing administration to prepare a draft lease agreement with the Water Valley Stampede Association that includes year-round events for council consideration.
