Stampede upgrades, power pricing on council agenda tonight
By COLLIN GALLANT on October 3, 2023.
cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant Plans to expand the Medicine Hat Stampede grandstand and add event space on the grounds will be presented to city council tonight as it also prepares to debate power pricing. Two years ago the agriculture society announced it was planning to upgrade the decades-old seating at the rodeo and concert arena along with trade show space. Sources told the News this summer a request for municipal support for the project, now estimated to cost $35 million, would be coming forward this year as financing was arranged for the two-year construction project. The agenda for tonight’s council meeting (6:30 p.m. in council chambers) includes a presentation from Stampede general manager Ron Edwards, several Stampede committee members and officials with FWBA Architects. Council members will also hear an interim power price proposal from the energy division, called for in early September after protest meetings were held over high electricity bills in the city. Administrators suggested bringing back an interim rate in early October while it seeks out a third party to review its business operations and rate-setting formulas. Initially discussed as a “best in market” rate, set against power retailers’ prices elsewhere in the Alberta power market, a new option will suggest a rolling price based on three-month blocks on the wholesale power forecast. Some observers who predict a major downturn in Alberta rates suggest they will be lower then current contract offerings. Groups who called for new rates and packed council chambers on Sept. 5, when council also approved $33 million in relief payments, are expected to again attend the meeting tonight. 10-9
