Despite a strong 2013 event, including two sold out evening shows, the Jasper Heritage Rodeo鈥檚 future could be in jeopardy.
At the heart of the problem, according to the non-profit organization, is a municipal facility rental rate increase. 鈥淭he rodeo has two mandates: to educate people about rodeo, and to give back to the community,鈥� said Gail Lonsberry, secretary/treasurer for the Jasper Heritage Rodeo Association (JHRA). 鈥淚f I have to give all the funds [raised] to the municipality, I won鈥檛 do it.鈥�
Her frustration is echoed by other members of the JHRA, which has struggled financially of late. The 2012 rodeo lost $16,000, which the organization attributes to decreased sponsorship and overextending on its contracts, specifically, rental of a big screen TV. (The JHRA tightened its budget, bolstered sponsorships and chose not to rent the big screen for 2013.)
Then, in June 2012, the JHRA was saddled with a facility rental increase of approximately 240 per cent, from $6,764.69 in 2012 to $16,822.43 in 2013. In response, the JHRA requested a discount of $6,822.43 from the municipality.
Council granted the discount for 2013, as a one-time only gift-in-kind. Now, with the 2013 event complete, that is up for review by council. The resulting decision, says the organizing committee, could very well determine the fate of the rodeo.
But that isn鈥檛 all that鈥檚 at stake, stresses JHRA committee member Norma McLean. The JHRA is a non-profit organization, and as per its mandate, gives back to the community by hiring other non-profit organizations to assist with the event and by distributing any proceeds of the event to local causes via grants.
From January 2006 to December 2012, the amount returned to the community through such service contracts and grants totalled $37,991.19. Past recipients include the Jasper Volunteer Firefighters, HIV West Yellowhead, the Jasper-Yellowhead Museum and Archives, MS Society of Canada, Jasper Lions, Advocates for Special Kids (Therapeutic Riding) and local sports clubs.
Also at stake, emphasized the JHRA, is a rodeo heritage that spans 86 years going back to 1926. Rodeo in Jasper traces its roots back to the early wardens and outfitters who travelled by horseback through the park. In 1992, the rodeo became part of the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association circuit.
With a long history, strong affiliations and key sponsors on board, Lonsberry believes the rodeo is viable in Jasper鈥攊f the facility rental doesn鈥檛 become overly burdensome. An April 9, 2013 briefing to council acknowledges this same risk, stating that requiring the full amount of the rental 鈥渕ay lead to the demise of the rodeo.鈥�
Whether or not the municipality will demand the full rental amount for 2014 is now up to council. In an email, CAO Peter Waterworth declined to comment, pending the review. No date was given for when that review might take place. The JHRA has 90 days from the end of the 2013 event to submit a financial statement, and with an election this October it may fall to the next council to make the decision.
Jeremy Derksen
[email protected]
