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Vegreville Agricultural Society Revitalizing Grandstand
Vegreville Agricultural Society Revitalizing Grandstand
Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser
Work is currently underway to replace boards in the Vegreville Agricultural Society’s (VAS) grandstand. The project has been made possible in large part to a $100,000 grant from the Government of Alberta.
VAS President Al Baxandall couldn’t be more excited about how things are progressing and has been one of several volunteers keeping busy staining each and every plank that will be used in the project which is estimated to cost over $140,000.
Baxandall said the hybrid oil and water based stain that has been applied to the boards won’t peel and he believes it will last much longer than traditional solid stain and it can be reapplied right over the stain rather than sand and reapply, saving time and money down the road.
He pointed out that middle board in each of the sections is a scaffolding board which is much stronger than traditional lumber and will have a longer lifespan. “It will be safe and good for 20 to 30 years.”
Baxandall is very grateful for the assistance from Vantage Builders that has assisted in the planning of the project as well as the project itself which is expected to take an estimated 5 weeks to complete. He is also grateful for the foresight of VAS volunteers who “had the foresight” to purchase the 3,600 seat grandstand from Speedway Park in Edmonton in 1974.
He is also thankful that volunteer hours will be used to offset the additional costs of the projects. VAS Office Manager Rachel Farr pointed out that, “Our volunteers have been staining each and every board, prefabbing the sections. Thanks to Canalta Panels for donating their shop space. Directors then bringing prebuilt sections to the Ag. Society grounds for Vantage Builders to put up.”
Farr pointed out that VAS is a non-profit organization with a large amount of facilities that require yearly maintenance. “With the decrease in government funding we rely on the generosity of the community by receiving donations and sponsorships. VAS only has one permanent fulltime office staff and five seasonal employees. Our board of directors and volunteers put in countless hours to run our events.”
The Government of Alberta unveiled the Agricultural Societies Infrastructure Revitalization Grant program in October of 2023. VAS applied for the grant in November of 2023 and received the funds in early 2024. A total of $2.5 million was disbursed to 34 agricultural societies through the grant.
