Thursday, October 8, 2020
VOLUME 3 I ISSUE 15
MERIDIANSOURCE.CA
Lloyd Ex banking on Foundation GEOFF LEE
WRITER
.................................. The Lloydminster Agricultural Association is borrowing a page from the GoFundMe self-financing concept with the launch of a Lloyd Ex Foundation. The Foundation will accept donations from individuals and businesses to keep it financially afloat and afford some legacy programs for youth. The Lloyd Ex has an operating budget of about $125,000 per month, but COVID-19 restrictions on public gatherings have cut their event rental revenue by about 90 per cent. Lloyd Ex general manager, Jenelle Saskiw, held a press conference last week to explain the campaign is in response to inquiries from the public on how to help out—with four donation streams now available. The Foundation is accepting donations to Livestock and Crop programs, the ongoing Chase the Ace raffle, naming rights sponsorships and campground
expansion on the exhibition grounds. “To this date, we really haven’t had a structured way for people to donate,” said Saskiw. “We hope these streams will make donating simple, easy and satisfying for everyone.” Saskiw hopes the Foundation will also allow Lloyd Ex to give back with youth programs and scholarships in the future. “We want to give back. That’s what the Lloyd Ex has always done,” she said. “Through our events, we’ve given back cherished times. People have been able to come here and create wonderful memories with their families.” In normal years, Lloyd Ex hosts more than 800 events a year that attract more than 250,000 site visitors while generating about $47 million annually for the regional economy. As a non-profit, Lloyd Ex doesn’t qualify for any business-related federal subsidy pro-
grams during the pandemic and they aren’t anticipating any help from the government. “Everyone’s in the exact same boat as we are. It’s difficult all the way around. It’s just time for us to take ownership by ourselves and try to be creative,” said Saskiw. The campaign will also be focused on the recovery and sustainability of the Lloyd Ex. “We’re just hoping we can use a bit of the funding right now as bridge funding and hopefully, as we reopen, we have lots of inquiries next year for events, so we’re not worried about all that,” said Saskiw. “Next year, once we get the doors reopen, we’re really looking forward to creating this legacy for the future.” Donors will be acknowledged on a donor recognition wall and receive a charitable tax receipt. Saskiw outlined how the four donation streams will work, starting with the Livestock and Crop program.
Geoff Lee Meridian Source
Jenelle Saskiw, general manager of the Lloydminster Agricultural Exhibition Association, held a press conference last week to launch the Lloyd Ex Foundation for people to donate to keep the facilities operating with COVID restrictions on events in place. The Foundation has four donation streams, including the weekly Chase the Ace raffle.
“When you’re selling your livestock you can simply donate the proceeds of one or more animals at the time of sale,” said Saskiw. Farmers can also donate proceeds from specifically-harvested crop acres. Lloyd Ex will also partner with farmers who donate land to plant and harvest crops with the proceeds going to the Foundation. The ongoing Chase the Ace raffle is open
to more players with the week-six jackpot at $17,007 and climbing. “The jackpot has the potential to grow to $3.5 million dollars,” said Saskiw. Naming rights for sponsored rooms, venues and properties at the the Lloyd Ex are also available through the Foundation. Donations can also be earmarked towards the expansion of the existing campground at the north end of the exhibi-
tion grounds. “It was developed many years ago and what we’re finding right now is, a lot of the trailers are much bigger with the slide-outs and stuff, so we just don’t meet the modern needs of what the campers are looking for,” said Saskiw. She says what they want to do is expand the space, add some greenery and really make it attractive for visitors.