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Red Deer CFR bid details coming next week

Nov 24, 2017 | 8:31 AM

Westerner Park, in partnership with the Red Deer and District Chamber of Commerce, is hosting a public event next week to share details of their bid to host the Canadian Finals Rodeo.

The event goes Thursday, November 30 at 4:30 p.m. at the ENMAX Centrium.

Officials will present a multi-year proposal to the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association (CPRA) to potentially host the CFR at the Centrium starting in November 2018.

“It is important to us that we honour the legacy of the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association and Northlands Park by celebrating their history of creating legends,” says Ben Antifaiff, CEO and General Manager at Westerner Park. “Together we can continue to build on this legacy right here in Central Alberta.”

Currently, the rodeo takes place at the same time as AgriTrade. Antifaiff has said that would still be the case if the CFR comes to Red Deer. 

“We would like to showcase the ways that Central Alberta is ready and willing and able to help the CPRA continue to build this legacy,” says Robin Bobocel, CEO of the Red Deer and District Chamber of Commerce. “We welcome our community to join us as we highlight our vision of hosting the CFR at the presentation event.”

The impending closure of Edmonton’s Northlands Coliseum has forced the rodeo to seek a new home. The CFR attracted 90,000 fans to Edmonton earlier this month.

Seating capacity at the Enmax Centrium could be expanded to 8,000 should Red Deer be successful in landing the rodeo.