In February the Yorkton Exhibition Association announced they are officially breaking ground on the new grandstand they had been working toward for several months.
The work area was already fenced by the time of the announcement, and work tearing down everything but the metal frame and roof of the existing grandstand structure was expected to start immediately. While they kept the existing roof structure, all other elements of the grandstand will be fully replaced.
The work on the $600,000 contract has been awarded to N.L. Construction of Yorkton, which fits with one of the YEA's goals for the project, said YEA spokesperson Lori Walsh.
"We wanted to keep the project as local as possible," she said.
Dustin Nehring, with N.L. said that the project is "not that challenging" in terms of construction, but noted anytime you undertake what is basically a large renovation "there are hurdles to overcome," although starting out he said "we don't see any major hurdles on this."
The number of workers on staff will vary through the work period, with the project slated for completion in June.
Walsh said the total cost of the work will be $600,000, and she thanked the City of Yorkton as a funding partner, contributing 50 per cent, and Legacy Co-op for taking naming rights to the new facility.
It will be known as the Legacy Co-op Grandstand.
In the release issued at the time it was noted; "the grandstand has been a pillar in our community since the first one was built in 1914. The Exhibition Association hosts events on the grandstand, as do other community groups and organizations. This facility is an asset to the city of Yorkton as it is home to many great community events that help stimulate our economy and bring people together. This will be the third grandstand in Yorkton’s history, and will serve our community for many more years to come."
The facility has been an important fixture in the community, noted the release.
"Over the last century the Yorkton Exhibition has been committed to the preservation of our heritage by not only offering a wide range of events and programs, but also investing in community infrastructure," it stated. "The Yorkton Exhibition has been instrumental in obtaining these grounds and the facilities that exist such as the Agripavilion, Industrial Building, Ag Arena and Parimutuel building as they were built and paid for by the Yorkton Exhibition and turned over to the city. And without the Exhibition, it is unknown if the Parkland Agriplex or the Gallagher Centre as we know it, would exist today as our association procured the funding for that project. The grandstand is another investment we are making in the future of our city."
Over the following months a number of donations were received and the grandstand opened in the summer in time for events such as chariot and chuckwagon races and tractor pulling.
