Ag Society Hopes to Raise Remaining Funds Quickly March 14, 2006 Todd W. Hurman, Olds Albertan

Rising construction costs have the Olds Ag Society hoping it won't spend too much time trying to raise the remaining funds for its proposed expansion.

With its capital campaign set to kick off at the end of April, Ag Society general manager Tami Gardner hopes people and businesses will come forward with donations sooner rather than later.

"The challenge of course that we, as everyone else with major projects are facing, is that we're looking at one and a half to two per cent increases a month," Gardner said.

"And so the longer it takes to raise this funding, the more funding we have to raise."

The initial cost for the proposed Gateway Centre that would see new and enlarged agricultural facilities added on to the existing Caluori Pavilion - including a 800-seat community convention centre - was pegged at $8 million.

But Gardner said the figure is more likely to be around $10 million.

The Ag Society has raised about half of the money so far.

Gardner revealed few details about the April 22 capital launch, except to say that it would be, "an opportunity for people to come together to be entertained, improve their minds and renew their ties to one another."

For information about the capital campaign or to make a donation, contact the Ag Society at 556-3770.