MAY 2022 THE RIDER/ 7 A Reason To Celebrate
By Ellie Ross. A long time project,
that started back in 2017, has come to fruition after many challenges and un- foreseen setbacks but none of that deterred the Ancaster Agricultural Society. The facilities at Ancaster Fair- grounds have been a very popular choice for horse events year round and even more so now. After ten years of operating there, the facil- ity bookings were booked solid a year in advance and so the idea of expansion arose out of the evident de- mand. The AAS formed the
Equine Facilities Committee who met with different groups to discuss needs and size was certainly a big topic of discussion. Big horses, especially 4 in hand, require big spaces and heavy horse shows are often dictated by the weather due to a lack of indoor facil- ities that are large enough to accom- modate them. A proposal was pitched to the members and they voted over- whelmingly in favour. Fall of 2019 saw prices change
and an infrastructure grant was de- layed by 8 months so the costs in- creased further. Other delays and costs arose with the municipality for things like city water, sewer services, delays in building permits and the sur- prises of some missing necessary add ons, all of which affected the cost. This altered the overall risk so once again the membership was asked to vote again for a new 2020 budget. The membership decided that this project would not become a victim of covid and once again approval was had. Next was the supply chain issues but
the AAS would not be crippled. The commitment to the project was strong and the project was moving forward. There was much to consider
such as footing, dimensions, puck board, access etc., in order to accom- modate a variety of disciplines. The footing had to have the ability to be wet and packed to suit the cart folks but also be able to be dry to suit the Reiners and everything in between. Only the best would do and the best is what they got. The riding area measures 118 feet wide by 287 feet long. The new facility has a fully equipped kitchen, is heated, has great lighting with no shadows, very mod- ern washroom and shower facilities, an upper lounge (yet to be named), can accommodate 100 RVs, 100 stalls with heated aisle floors, 2 wash bays, seating and several overhead doors for easy access. This facility can ac- commodate other uses such as Cot- tage Lifestyle shows as flooring is easily placed over the arena sand, but it is mostly used for horse and cattle events. This is all in addition to the original arena and other great facili- ties existing on the grounds. The cost to rent this facility has been kept af- fordable by the utilization of volun- teers, operating as a Not-for-profit ,fundraising, the fact that the property is owned outright and they have ex- cellent facility management to control costs. Booking the facility is easily done via the website https://ancaster-
fair.ca/facility-rentals/ or contact Ben Ramsey or Tammy Quinn. Such a facility is deserving of
sponsorship that any sponsor would be proud to have their name displayed on. Ancaster is seeking a Naming Rights Sponsor at $1,000,000 payable over 5 years with name on for 10 years. Annual sponsors can have their name on the puck board for just
$5000 a year and donations are gladly accepted. This project is certainly an
achievement worth celebrating and the public is welcome to join the Grand Opening Gala Satur- day, May 28th for a sit down catered dinner with live entertain-
ment and even a Merry-Go- Round! Tickets are $100 each and 1000 tickets are available. Attire is ‘Cowboy Sheik’ so you can dress to the nines or come as you are. More information and ticket purchases can be done on- line at
https://ancasterfair.ca
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