Just days after the Stettler Steel Wheel Stampede was staged for the first time on the Labour Day weekend, town council expressed support for the date, but also cited drawbacks.
“I love the September long-weekend date, to tie in with the airport fly-in breakfast, and families are home just before school starts,” Coun. Leona Thorogood said as council briefly discussed the change for the fifth annual rodeo.
Representing the town on the stampede committee, Coun. Al Campbell suggested that Stettler Downtown Business Association reschedule the midway for the stampede long weekend.
However, Coun. Steve Wildeboer, who represents the town on Stettler Regional Board of Trade, said the association is locked into a five-year contract with West Coast Amusements, and other communities would have priority over Stettler for the midway on the Labour Day weekend.
The midway rides are “in high demand,” Wildeboer said.
Campbell noted that the Labour Day weekend is the end of the season and many quality rodeo competitors have finished for the summer.
“We may have to back up to accommodate all this,” Campbell said. “We need that midway to expand the stampede.”
New heating/cooling units for hospital
Ventilation upgrades are set for Stettler Hospital and Care Centre after council approved a staff recommendation to award a contract to replace eight heating/ventilation units at the A.E. Kennedy Building.
It was awarded to Keith’s Refrigeration of Stettler, with a bid of $57,100 plus the federal goods and services tax, the lowest of three tenders, with a budget of $60,000.
“This company has done maintenance for the town and it’s always good news when it comes in at a low tender,” said assistant chief administrative officer Greg Switenky.
Parking-lot maintenance
Council adopted an upgraded policy to provide free annual sweeping and grading for parking lots for non-profit organizations, institutions, schools and other similar agencies upon request.