It has been no secret that the Westerner Park has seen a very challenging year. In January of 2020, the City of Red Deer assumed financial oversight of the facility just before the pandemic shook the events industry. Since then, events like CFR, Westerner Days, hockey, countless tradeshows, and other events have been cancelled. Now almost a year later, things aren’t looking totally hopeless for one of Red Deer’s primary large-scale entertainment venues.

“In our current financial situation, we're still utilizing the operating grant that council approved in July. That operating ground is supplementing the lost income that we can't realize as a result of the COVID limitations. That said, we are supplementing that with some modest revenue from various events that we are able to host,” explained Mike Oleson, CEO of Westerner Park.

Over the past few months, Westerner Park was able to host the Thanks for Farming Tour, and other agriculture shows that provided some income to help support the venue. Oleson expects the operating grant and modest profits to provide enough income to get Westerner Park through to March of 2021.

In September, the Delloite audit has made the CEO spend both more conservatively and strategically.  However, some recommendations won’t be possible until Westerner Park is able to host regular events once again.

“The audit was more focused and progressively aware Westerner Park needs to invest dollars in order to grow to the level that it should be at. Examples include making sure that our marketing spend is to the level reflective of the levels of revenue that we need to generate which includes increasing your marketing spend, so that you are attracting events, and making sure that business is coming to the park,” explained Oleson.

Additionally, Westerner Park has had a few ongoing renovations to help improve the facility and attract more business and visitors. A new dressing room has been added for World Juniors and some older items have been replaced.  Oleson said the seats, and score clock were both outdated and difficult to find parts for. The old clock has actually been repurposed for promotional materials for logos or sponsor ads. In addition to those replacements, a few touch ups have been made around the facility.

This year, Westerner Park has been able host to the national junior team bubble.  

“We are working close with Hockey Canada to make sure that it is a safe environment and give them what they need over the next month to help get the team ready. It’s a very cool opportunity and we're certainly appreciative of working with Hockey Canada on that,” said Oleson.

Right now, the team is in quarantine after a couple of players and staff have tested positive for COVID-19.They won’t get back onto the ice until at least December 6th.

Despite the obvious challenges with the pandemic, Oleson says Westerner Park has been able to make sustainable changes for the time being and prepare for larger events that the future will inevitably bring.