20 Mile Irvine Rodeo. (Supplied by Rural Communities Foundation)

By David Opinko

Irvine Rodeo Arena getting full rebuild and redesign

Nov 12, 2020 | 2:20 PM

IRVINE, AB – A small Southern Alberta community near the Saskatchewan border is getting a new rodeo arena.

UFA has announced its 2020 grant recipients from the Rural Communities Foundation (RCF).

Out of 150 submissions, $100,000 will be split among four winners.

The 20 Mile Irvine Rodeo Committee will be given $37,250 to do a complete rebuilt and redesign.

“With an expanded and rearranged arena, organizers hope to attract team roping and other equestrian events. With few dedicated rodeo arenas in southeast Alberta, Irvine will become the premier rodeo location in the region,” reads a writeup from the RCF.

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The full project will cost around $50,000 and will make the arena more user-friendly for team roping, calf roping, and barrel racers.

“Rodeo and horse events are part of daily life for many in the area. Visitors and locals look forward to the annual event as a way to spend time with their friends and neighbours, just one more way to strengthen their community.”

Other grant recipients include:

• Pincher Creek and District Historical Society: $25,000
  • Add one new business to the Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village, the Colpman’s Drug Store and Soda Fountain.
• Castor and District Museum Society: $27,250
  • Renovations to the Alberta-Pacific Grain Co. Ltd Elevator
• Rotary Club of Vegreville: $15,000
  • To help build a $950,000 skatepark