The City of Red Deer put in their official bid last night (Nov. 30th) to the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association, to host the Canadian Finals Rodeo at Westerner Park starting next year.

The 10 year proposal was made last night at the Enmax Centrium, featuring local rodeo heroes and a performance by Lacombe’s own Gord Bamford.

CEO of the Red Deer and District Chamber of Commerce Robin Bobocel says, with over 2 million people within 90 miles of Red Deer, our area is perfect for hosting a rodeo event of this magnitude.

“I think that Red Deer and Central Alberta really resonates with the Western culture and I think that will resonate with the cowboys. People here really are fans of rodeo, they’re fans of the cowboys, and we really want to make them feel welcome, and we think we have the community to back that up.”

Chief Executive Officer and General Manager at Westerner Park Ben Antifaiff says their facility is well prepared for rodeo action.

“There’s no question that having the right facility to be able to house the event, and actually the back of house services for livestock and the well treatment of livestock and the competitors horses, makes us a natural choice.”

The CFR was originally at the Northlands Coliseum in Edmonton, formally Rexall Place, for the last 44 years.

Other terms in the bid include hosting the CFR the week prior to AgriTrade, continued support of the Cowboys Benevolent Foundation, which assists them in their time of need, and the creation of the 'Rising Stars of Rodeo' event, which will be held in August prior to the finals.

Red Deer is the first city that officially launched a presentation bid, and the CFR should make their decision by the end of the year.