Katz Group, Northlands work together to keep CFR in Edmonton
Red Deer and Vancouver hoping to lasso Canadian Finals Rodeo, says Coun. Ed Gibbons
The Katz Group, Northlands and city officials are working on a plan to keep the Canadian Finals Rodeo in Edmonton, said Coun. Ed Gibbons.
"They've got to do everything they can to make sure that they keep it here," said Gibbons.
While Calgary has long been rumoured to be pursuing the CFR, Gibbons said it's not Calgary the city is worried about.
Estimates suggest the CFR brings $50 million in business annually to the city.
"They're (CFR visitors) finished the farming … all the grounds turned over, the hays in, and everything," Gibbons said. "They're coming in to buy Christmas presents. They're coming in here to take our hotel rooms, buy their new trucks, whatever."
Gibbons said he's heard the discussions are going well between the Katz Group and Northlands, once fractious adversaries.
"It's a totally new world," he said. "Calmer people have come together and realized they have to come with some plan for the future."
Gibbons said the plan may involve moving the rodeo competition to the new Rogers Place arena downtown, while Northlands' Expo Centre would host Farm Fair.
Details of the plan are expected to be made public early in the new year, he said.