Come join
Exhibition & Stampede
“The Posse” at the
Medicine Hat
“A Tradition Since 1887 - A Legacy for the Future”
BRONCS & HONKY TONKS
Spring Indoor Pro Rodeo
April 16th
, 17th & 18th Friday & Saturday: Western Cabaret - $5.00
WORLDPROFESSIONAL CHUCKWAGON RACES
"Half Mile of Hell" • June 11th
, 12th
Admission
Cypress Centre Pavilion & Fieldhouse Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede Grounds
& 13th
Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede Grounds
WPCA Tarp Auction - Tuesday, April 6th
Grandstand Banquet Room
MEDICINE HAT EXHIBITION & STAMPEDE JULY 28th
to 31st , 2010
MIDWAY • CASINO • FREE STAGE ENTERTAINMENT “FOUR DAYS OF FEEL GOOD FAMILY FUN!”
Special Areas
Special Areas are on the rebound
Medicine Hat News
After years of gradual decline, the population of the Special Areas is on the rebound.
Special Areas 2, 3 and 4 span 2.1 million hectares of land and have a combined population of about 5,300. Numerous hamlets are part of the special areas, as well as the urban municipalities of Hanna, Oyen, Consort, Youngstown, Veteran, Empress and Cereal.
While declining agricultural fortunes have led to dwindling populations in many rural communities, Christie Dick says the past few years brought an influx of new residents to the Special Areas, many of them young families.
“People are tired of being in the cities,” says Dick, who is the economic development officer for the SAMDA (Special Areas and Municipality of Acadia). “And because of the recession many people really had to look at how they’re going to live their lives, where they’re going to live them, and returned to their rural roots.”
To encourage this new growth, her office recently began a “Return to Rural” initiative. The half-million dollar project will look at ways to make the Special Areas and Acadia Valley more attractive to young workers, covering everything from recreational needs and land-use issues to technological support.
Travis Tritt
Wednesday, July 28
$40.00
Little
River Band
Thursday, July 29
$30.00
LeAnn
Rimes
Saturday, July 31
$50.00
POSSE PACKS
All 3 Night Shows $110 (April 1 to May 31st) $120 (after May 31st)
FARMERS’ MARKET
Every Saturday, May 22nd
to October 2nd
ALL-BEEFPENSHOW &COWBOY CHRISTMAS TRADE SHOW
December 18th & 19th
E* Tickets available at: www.mhstampede.com For more information call 403.527.1234 or 1.888.647.6336
July 29th Stampede Grounds
Medicine Hat Exhibition &
RODEO
, 30th
PRO
& 31st
There are also plans to create a social networking site which would allow young people to connect with area businesses, mentors, and each other, as well as access information about rural living.
Technology, Dick says, will be the area’s “edge.”
The SAMDA Economic Partnership has already set up a high speed Internet service in the region, making wireless Internet accessible almost everywhere in the Special Areas. A comprehensive video conference system is also in the works.
Currently, economic activities in Special Area 2 include coal mining, power generation, agriculture and oil and gas production. Special Areas 3 and 4 are home to the petroleum industry, service sector and agriculture.
Many of the villages in the Special Areas play host to well-attended community events. In Special Area 4, the villages of Kirriemuir, Altario and Compeer jointly host the KAC Country Fair, featuring a children’s midway, chili cook-off and plenty of live entertainment. Special Area 3’s hamlet of New Brigden hosts a popular Ladies Night with live entertainment, fancy dress and a different theme each year.
The 94 year-old Handhills Lake Stampede brings 400 professional cowboys to the region each year, while Youngstown’s annual summer curling bonspiel brings curlers from around the region to the village every Canada Day weekend.
The Special Areas were created more than 70 years ago under the Special Areas Act in response to the severe drought of the 1930s. A board of three people, appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council, administer the Special Areas. An advisory council of 13 elected officials also represent the area.
22 — REPORT ON SOUTHEAST ALBERTA 2010 ■ Celebrating our Community
53780200•03/30/10
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