CLARKWATCH: Follow news and updates regarding sanctions on Mayor Clark.

Red Deer ropes in Canadian Finals Rodeo for next decade

Jan 17, 2018 | 8:00 AM

RED DEER, AB — Not only is the Canadian Finals Rodeo coming to Red Deer, it’s staying here for the next decade.

One of the worst-kept secrets was made official Tuesday with the announcement that the CFR is moving to Red Deer after 44 years in Edmonton.

This year’s rodeo will hit the dirt at the Enmax Centrium from Oct. 30 to Nov 4.

“We feel honoured that the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association (CPRA) has chosen Red Deer to be the new home for CFR,” says Ben Antifaiff, CEO and General Manager at Westerner Park. “Together as a community, we should be very proud of this moment and celebrate that the CFR will continue its legacy right here in Central Alberta.”

Robin Bobocel, CEO of Red Deer and District Chamber of Commerce, says they expect the city to experience an annual economic impact of up to $30 million as a result of the CFR.

“Our city and our region has been buzzing with excitement since we went public with our proposal to host the CFR,” Bobocel said. “We are a vibrant community that can accomplish anything it sets its sights on, and with the help of our partners in the community, and the CPRA, we will make CFR 2018 a huge success.”

Some doubted whether Red Deer was ready to host the CFR given Saskatoon, with its larger population and venue, was also bidding. But Bobocel says they never considered themselves underdogs.

“When we first decided to do this, we were in it to win it,” he said. “It didn’t matter how big our competition was going to be, we were going to take them down.”

Red Deer Mayor Tara Veer shared her excitement over the big news, saying Red Deer has put itself on the map yet again.

“Obviously, we’ve tried to position ourselves as a major sports tourism events destination, not only for the province, but for Canada and events of international calibre,” Veer said in reference to other events such as the 2016 Mastercard Memorial Cup and upcoming 2019 Canada Winter Games. “Sincere gratitude goes to the people of Westerner Park and the Chamber for securing this great event for the people of Red Deer and region.”

Long-time fans of the CFR will notice some other changes in addition to the new location. The rodeo will include seven performances over six days and will feature a Saturday matinée performance with up and coming rodeo athletes, who will qualify during a new “Rising Stars of Rodeo” competition in Red Deer in August.

Plans are also in the works for a “Rodeo Week in Central Alberta” featuring cabarets and live entertainment with the goal of sharing the festivities with as many Central Albertans as possible.

Canadian Professional Rodeo Association President Terry Cooke says the Chamber and Westerner Park went above and beyond to bring the rodeo to Red Deer.

“I didn’t think they were taking it seriously until we came here a couple of months ago. I realized then that they were serious,” Cooke pointed out. “We dealt with a couple places [but] decided Red Deer was the place to make the new home of the CFR.”

Cooke says he isn’t concerned about moving from Northlands Coliseum to the Enmax Centrium, which has about half of the seating capacity.

“I was in Las Vegas three weeks ago at the National Finals [Rodeo] and there was 50,000 people standing there trying to get 17,000 seats. What’s the difference? There’s going to be 15,000 people here trying to get 9,000 seats. It’s going to be the hottest ticket in town.”

Cooke added, “The more I think about it, the more I talk about it, the more excited I get about it. I think it’s going to be so good in this town, and good for the town.”