Red Deer-Lacombe MP Blaine Calkins rose in the House of Commons yesterday (Feb 14th) to recognize the achievements of the Red Deer Royals Marching Show Band, and to help press the federal government for support for their fieldhouse project.

He talked about their 50 year history and how they act as ambassadors for Canada, travelling around the world, last year earning a gold medal at the 2017 World Music Contest in the Netherlands.

Calkins tipped his hat to their diligent decade of fundraising efforts, raising over 2 million dollars and emphasized how they could use some federal support to make up their fundraising shortfall.

“The Red Deer Royals have previously applied for Canada 150 funding but were turned down, they looked for other programs to apply through, but there are none.  Mr. Speaker I have in my possession more than 1,000 letters written by Red Deer Royals members, alumni, families and supporters, from all over central Alberta requesting the Prime Minister’s support to help fund this project”.

He questioned why there's not money to support them.

“As the current government has no qualms with deficits, is spending billions outside of Canada’s borders, pays millions for a temporary ice rink, it seems only fitting that it would support the long term legacy and ambassadorship of the Red Deer Royals.  As I give these letters to the Prime Minister, I hope their request receives every consideration”.

The fieldhouse project has a total price tag of 2.7 million.