Province gives Stampede tech funding

By Gillian Slade on September 15, 2018.

gslade@medicinehatnews.com  @MHNGillianSlade

Some significant upgrades to information technology systems will be possible for the Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede thanks to provincial funding announced Friday.

A grant of $63,555 was made through the community initiatives program by Alberta Culture and Tourism and Bob Wanner, NDP MLA for Medicine Hat, presented the cheque to Brian Schneider, Stampede president.

The money will be invested in upgrades for computer and communications systems, said Schneider. It will mean sales tickets, phone systems, and sales, even through the grandstand with the convenience of scanning, will be simplified and more efficient.

“So it goes to a lot of good use,” said Schneider.

There are several work locations within the stampede grounds and that makes it particularly important that they are able to connect using technology and so achieve a higher level of effectiveness and efficiency, said Wanner.

This grant is the second recent provincial government’s contribution to the Stampede, said Wanner. The first was for an addition to the Carriage House last year. The Carriage House has since been a new revenue stream for the organization.

“It’s a living example of where, by investing like this, you really multiply the leverage of the contribution in a big way,” said Wanner.

The Stampede has deep roots in the area, many volunteers, and it attracts significant tourism to the region too, said Wanner.

There were some new initiatives at Stampede this year. Schneider says a new market was well received and Pioneer Village is always a favourite showcasing the heritage behind the organization.

“It’s kind of a hidden gem in our area here,” said Schneider.

Reflecting on the most recent stampede, Schneider says, the Kiddies Day parade attracted 3,000 children.

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