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Council defers ag society’s monetary request to budget

Rimbey Agricultural Society may receive some dollars from the Town of Rimbey for their new partially constructed Agrim Centre

Rimbey Agricultural Society may receive some dollars from the Town of Rimbey for their new partially constructed Agrim Centre, but the final decision won’t be made until council completes its budget deliberations.

At its Dec. 9 meeting, Ken Whitelock from the ag society’s board of directors requested council to pick up the approximately $90,000 tab for the installation of the shallow services for the new centre.

“We are asking if the town of Rimbey would like to be involved and pay for the shallow services for us,” said Whitelock.

Mayor Rick Pankiw said the Agrim Centre will be a positive for Rimbey.

“It will do a lot of good things for the Town of Rimbey,” he said. “As a mayor I am going to strongly recommend that we support it in some way. I’m sure all of council will agree that it has the potential to benefit the town immensely through the trickle down effect. Everyone will benefit and in the big picture that is what we as a council support.”

Pankiw said council will need to review the development bylaw to determine what the guidelines are regarding the allocation of dollars for a project such as the Agrim Centre.

Whitelock said the Agrim Centre is moving along on schedule.

“It should be sheeted in by Christmas,” he said.

The 60,000-square-foot Agrim Centre will include a riding arena, meeting space, boardroom, announcers box, concession and a grandstand to seat 900.

The centre is to be multi-functional and bring in spectators for various events as well as provide space for organizations such as 4-H clubs.

The ag centre is to be built with an outside balcony. Builders will use green technology in the construction of a solar wall and rainwater will be used for the building’s non-potable water needs.

Ironwood Building Systems is the primary contractor.

The board is hopeful more private and corporate sponsors will come forward to lend financial support to the $4.5 million dollar building. Donors are also encouraged to purchase square footage at $25 a square.

For more information on the Rimbey Agrim centre, check out the website at www.agrim.ca.