Rocky View County council approved $21,000 in recreation funding for the Airdrie and District Agricultural Society (ADAS).
The money will be used to produce a Sustainability Evaluation Study to help assess costs and provide revenue projections for the first five to 10 years of operating the proposed 150-acre Agricultural and Recreation Park, to be built near Big Hill Springs Road and Range Road 14, just southwest of Airdrie.
“It was an absolute must,” said Ron Hanson, chair of the park’s site development committee. “We are just thrilled that Rocky View stepped up again… if it wasn’t for them, we wouldn’t be where we are today.”
Fundraising for the $35-million project, which will include a 125-vehicle RV park, an agricultural-based commercial centre, stalls for up to 600 head of cattle, wetland and interpretive trails, an outdoor skating rink and 40 acres of native grassland, began in 2010.
“The Agricultural and Recreation Park will be a great advantage to Rocky View and we are pleased to support efforts to ensure its economic success,” said Reeve Rolly Ashdown.
Airdrie Agricultural Society will manage the park and operate it on a cost recovery basis.
“The Airdrie and District Agricultural Society is a well organized group. They have been working on this project for a few years and economic sustainability has always been a critical issue for the society. They want to ensure what is built at the park is sustainable,” said area Councillor Lois Habberfield.
The total cost of the study is $70,000.
