The Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede is hopeful a new grandstand will be built in time for 2026 Stampede. The North structure is in bad need of replacement, officials say, and the hope is to work out a funding model early in the new year.--NEWS FILE PHOTO
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With an aging wooden grandstand still “barely standing” and the motivation to attract more tourism dollars and hold larger conferences and events in the city, the Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede is looking forward to working with elected officials in 2026 as it continues to seek funding for repairs and expansion.
Stampede officials say the North grandstand built in 1966 “absolutely needs to come down,” as boards are rotting away and seven steel beams have been engineered over the past two years as a “band aid” to keep the 2,000-seat structure standing.
The second section of the grandstand, built in 1979 from concrete, could also use some “TLC” according to Stampede officials who are seeking to finalize funding requests from the city and province and have a new grandstand built before the 2026 Medicine Hat Stampede.
The expected cost for the project has continued to climb from $39 million when the Stampede originally approached the city in 2021 seeking a replacement, and is now estimated to cost $50 million.
In May, council approved design funding for the grandstand replacement and expansion, which was proposed as a third option that includes a smaller design envelope, and would potentially cut the project costs in half. Council also approved $250,000 in costs to design the project.
However, this smaller design does not align with the Stampede’s vision for a new grandstand, explains general manager Ron Edwards, which would include a new kitchen space and allow the Stampede to instal more washroom facilities while improving accessibility for individuals with mobility issues and in wheelchairs.
“We have absolutely zero accessibility in the old grandstand,” said Edwards. “It’s not underneath the roof, they get rained on, they have no washroom or facilities close by.”
To alleviate this issue the Stampede wants to instal an elevator in its new grandstand that would grant easy access to the 15th level that would include enough space for up to 20 seats for disabled people, with access to washrooms and facilities nearby.
Additionally Stampede officials are seeking to make the grandstand more comfortable with the addition of new stadium seats.
“Nobody wants to sit on those hare benches anymore,” adds Edwards who envisions a new grandstand with approximately 5,000 seats.
The Stampede’s vision would also include a new kitchen space, as mentioned above, that would be subdivided into four different venues that serve separate food items, like a hamburger stand and pizza stand, as well as renting the kitchen space to private businesses.
The current kitchen facility is more than 45 years old and in need of upgrades, says Edwards.
The replacement is part of the Stampede’s larger vision for modernization and expansion projects designed to attract larger conferences and more events to the Hat.
“We feel in this community there is definitely room for a conference room that would sit maybe 400 to 500 people,” said Edwards.
Edwards says the construction of a new conference space with half a dozen “breakout” rooms used for workshops could allow the Stampede to hold bigger conferences and compete with cities like Lethbridge in size and scale of events.
“You’re not going to get national conferences in Medicine Hat, but there’s definitely regionals,” said Edwards. “And our big draw comes from Saskatchewan.”
Design plans would see the new conference space incorporated into construction of a new grandstand, using the space that would be left unused below the seats.
The Stampede says the new facility would attract more tourism, accommodate larger events and improve the overall experience of its patrons.
“It’s not what I would call a Taj Mahal,” said Edwards. “It’s a very workable facility with reasonable access for everyone to enjoy.”
However, these projects still require funding commitments from the city and the province.
The province had been supportive with the Stampede’s proposal and offered a 40-40-20 grant funding formula in 2023 where the city and province offered equal shares, and the city offered to cover the difference with a no-interest loan.
Stampede officials and currently working with city staff to find a solution. The capital project ask from the Stampede will now also be weighted by a gap in the city’s budget.
In the new year councillors will decide how they will address financial challenges for the 2026 budget, and city staff say a proposed 5.6 per cent annual property tax hike is required over the next two years to maintain current service levels.
The Stampede says the ideal timeline for construction of a new grandstand and event centre would be completed by June 2027.
Coun. Cheryl Phaff has been appointed liaison for the Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede following the general election in October and will serve as an intermediary with councillors.
