Idaho's Thor Hoeffer rides Late Night Host in the bull riding event in 2019 at the Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede rodeo. The local Stampede is one group that will look into provincial relief that was announced late last month.-NEWS FILE PHOTO
mcranker@medicinehatnews.com@mocranker
Roughly a week after a sport, theatre and rodeo funding announcement from the provincial government, Hatters are still working through the application process.
The government announced up to $17 million for the three sectors, with the goal of helping each through the pandemic.
Medicine Hat Mavericks general manager Greg Morrison says his team is looking into the funding.
“We’re taking the time to look through the streams of funding to see what we may qualify for,” he said. “If we do qualify – absolutely, we will be going for it.
“We’re looking at last season as no season, and this season we don’t know what will be going on.”
Morrison says the team is just trying to get by at the moment.
“It’s survival mode,” he said. “We’re just like everyone else, we’re just trying to keep going through this.”
The Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede held a board meeting Wednesday and decided to apply for funding.
“The funding would assist with operating expenses as they come up throughout the year and future sustainability of the Stampede,” said Dave Ziegenhagel, president of the board of directors.
The Medicine Hat Cubs have looked into the funding, but feel as if they may not qualify.
“We’re not sure right now, but I did go through the guidelines a few times and I don’t think we qualify,” Cubs board treasurer Deb Wickham said. “The guideline gives examples of the Western Hockey League and Alberta Junior Hockey League – as a Junior B team, we aren’t sure.
“We think we may be one of the organizations that falls through the cracks here.”
There is no word on an upcoming HJHL season and Wickham says the team is looking for help.
“We’re trying to get funding and we’ve been trying to get a sponsor on board,” she said. “It’s really hard when you’re not playing and don’t know when you will be.”
Medicine Hat Musical Theatre board member Lawrence Gordon says the group will not be applying for the funding.
“The first reason we’re not applying is that we apply for an operating grant every year, and we got one this year,” he said. “The second reason is that we’ve been able to save money when things are going well.
“We have enough in the bank to get us through this thing.”
For more information, including how to apply, visit https://www.alberta.ca/stabilize-program.aspx.
