Vauxhall Ag Society new arena building status updates

Posted on June 5, 2025 by Vauxhall Advance

By Heather Cameron
Vauxhall Advance
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

During the M.D. of Taber Council meeting on May 14, Jo Jones, Vice President of the Vauxhall Ag Society and Judy Leeson, Vauxhall Ag Society Rodeo Grounds committee member, provided Council with a status update regarding their Vauxhall Ag Society new arena building.

Jones and Leeson explained that the upgrades the Ag Society have made since 2014 include the installation of new bucking chutes, a roping chute and cattle handling system, a new announcer’s booth, and new ground.

The investment in the project, which includes grants and Ag Society donations and volunteers, totals $197,048 since 2014, explained Jones and Leeson, but that total does not include volunteer time or equipment that was donated to said project.

Jones and Leeson also touched upon things yet to be done, stating that the existing kitchen/concession building is going to eventually be replaced, as the inside needs some major updates due to being a hazard for people who rent the grounds, and the kitchen needing upgrades.

What will ultimately be built, Jones and Leeson explained, will be a 40 X 60 western-style building with a loft in the top that project will include stairs coming in from the outside, a deck, an inside storage office, concession, kitchen, upstairs overhang, overhead doors, and shelter-area. 

In terms of total cost of the project, Jones and Leeson explained, the total is estimated to be $230,000 for construction, $39,000 for the concrete pad and footings, $50,000 for utilities, $20,000 for site servicing and contingency fees, and $30,000 for In-Kind Donations including excavations and labor, making a total of $370,000 for the project. Funding sources, Jones and Leeson explained, include $109,082.09 confirmed and pledged sponsorships, $40,000 in casino funds, and a recently requested $125,000 CFEP grant.

The Vauxhall Ag Society, Jones and Leeson explained, also requested $95,000 from the M.D. of Taber, but that request could go up to $150,000 is the CFEP grant is not acquired.

In terms of a project timeline, Jones and Leeson explained, the Ag Society hopes to break ground as soon as possible for the concrete pad, do the build in June-July with a projected completion date in August prior to the Cowboy Days event on the August long weekend, but the timeline is dependent on funding.

Jones and Leeson also highlighted some of the events that take place on the rodeo grounds in addition to Cowboy Days, which include barrel racing, rough stock practices, and they also have plans to host more out there, as they believe the building will bring more community and family-based events to the area.

Both Jones and Leeson expressed that the Ag Society has ‘come a long way’ in their fundraising efforts thanks to the generosity of their supporters and ‘the strength of their community,’ and they are ‘proud’ of the progress they have made on their project.

Following discussion for clarifications on funding sources and how the building could potentially be used year-round, Councillor Harris made a motion that Council receive the Vauxhall Ag Society’s presentation for information and the motion was carried.

Following the presentation, M.D. of Taber Director of Community Services Bryce Surina presented a Request For Decision memo to Council regarding the Vauxhall Ag Society’s request. In addition to their request for funding, the memo explained the Vauxhall Ag Society is also requesting a letter of support from the M.D. of Taber to assist them in their application to the Government of Alberta Community Facility Enhancement Program (CFEP)Program.

The memo stated that Administration’s recommendation is that that the M.D. of Taber refer the request for funding by the Vauxhall Ag Society New Arena Building at Vauxhall Rodeo Grounds to be included for consideration in the 2026 budget deliberations and further within the context of long-term capital planning and that the M.D. of Taber approve the letter of support request for grant application to the Government of Alberta Community Facility Enhancement Program (CFEP)Program.

Ultimately, a motion was made that the M.D. of Taber refer the request for funding by the Vauxhall Ag Society New Arena Building at Vauxhall Rodeo Grounds to be included for consideration in the 2026 budget deliberations and further within the context of long-term capital planning and that the M.D. of Taber approve the letter of support request for grant application to the Government of Alberta Community Facility Enhancement Program (CFEP)Program. The motion was carried.