The Ponoka Stampede and Exhibition Association has officially taken over the lands where the Stampede and associated events are held, rather than continue to lease the grounds from the Town of Ponoka. 

Since the 1930s the Stampede Association has leased the property from the Town of Ponoka for an agreed-upon fee but they will now assume ownership of the land that currently encompasses the Stampede track, the grandstands, office and Stagecoach Saloon buildings. 

“By investing in the future success and growth of the Stampede – Ponoka’s largest tourism attraction – the Town expects to benefit from the increased economic impact that the Stampede would provide to the community by continuing to host a major tourism event that attracts tens of thousands of visitors to Ponoka every summer,” said Mayor Bonnett.

In addition to the transfer of land which will be secured through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the creation of an Area Structure Plan (ASP) will help to guide future uses and developments on the Stampede land and surrounding area. 

The main goal of that ASP is to "maximize economic benefits and the future success of the Stampede, surrounding businesses and the community of Ponoka as a whole". 

According to a release by the Town of Ponoka, the ASP could even result in new commercial development or even campgrounds and other facilities that would continue to build the community's tourism industry. 

“Those economic benefits currently add up to millions of dollars when you consider that the Stampede attracts about 35,000 visitors to Ponoka each summer who spend money at local businesses while they’re here, including restaurants, gas, accommodations and other purchases. Add to that about $251,000 received by community groups in Ponoka that rely on the Stampede for donations and fundraising activities every summer,” Bonnett said. 

Last year alone, the Stampede Association spent approximately $795,000 on operational purchases in Ponoka, (catering, tools and hardware, electrical supplies,etc) in addition to tens of thousands of additional revenues generated for the town via the Stampede.

The Calnash Ag Event Centre currently rests on land originally donated by the Stampede Association - a testament to the long-standing relationship between the Town and the Association. 

Mayor Bonnett notes that the Ponoka Stampede and Exhibition Association is a non-profit society, which means that all of the money made by the Stampede Association each year goes back into paying for its operational and development costs.

“It’s important to point out that the land to be transferred was undeveloped and not suitable for agricultural use or any other purpose when the Stampede started leasing it back in the 1930s,” said Mayor Bonnett. “The value that exists on that land today is largely due to the hard work and improvements made by the Stampede Association over the last 84 years. They have invested heavily in that land – both financially and through the sweat equity of their members and others in the community. They cleared and graded the land and built the infrastructure that stands there today,” he said.

The MoU was signed this afternoon and stands as a committment from both parties to work towards the longevity and development of the Ponoka Stampede and associated community projects, groups and economic incentives.

Bruce Harbin, President of the Stampede Association said, “The Ponoka Stampede Association appreciates the long history of collaboration between the Stampede and the Town over the past 84 years. The Stampede is a community event that supports the local community in numerous ways and is run by more than 1000 community members and volunteers from Ponoka. As a community-based group, we are committed to continuing to support the Ponoka community and work closely with the Town on a plan to guide future development on the Stampede lands and surrounding district to generate new growth for the community and the Stampede together.”