Ag Society's Chautauqua 2007 fast approaching March 27, 2007 Paul Frey, Olds Albertan

The Olds Agricultural Society is hoping to bring the Gateway Center to the town, possibly by next year.

Tami Gardner, general manager of the OAS, told the Annual General Meeting of the Olds and District Chamber of Commerce Wednesday afternoon that the second annual chautauqua will be a key component to helping the OAS reach their goal.

"We hope to continue to increase awareness of the project and ensure that the community feels that they have the opportunity to voice their opinion and become involved, and secondly our goal is to fundraise," Gardner said in an interview.

Gardner said the response to the project has thus far been excellent. A total of 300 people turned out at last year's chautauqua. Gardner said since last year's event, roughly $4 - $4.5 million has been raised toward the roughly $15 million project.

"And we look forward to making some substantial increases to that in the coming months," she said.

Gardner said in light of construction costs rising for almost every project around the province, it becomes critical that the OAS raise the money as quickly as possible to keep costs from rising.

"We feel it's very important that we move as quickly as possible because the fundraising cannot keep up with the inflationary impact," she said, adding that when a contract is signed, costs are fixed. An assessment will be made within the next two months whether construction can begin by the end of the year. Gardner said if the OAS has about 60 per cent of the funds in place, the organization is prepared to proceed with construction. Gardner said the OAS would also look favourably on a commitment of funding as well, noting the organization has a long history of relying on the word of community partners to get projects going.

"In the Ag. Society's history in this community, a commitment of funds or funding over an extended period of time is the same as having the cash," she said.

Gardner said the OAS has been considering developing a community centre since about 1997 as a complement to its core activities of supporting agriculture in the community.

"When we looked at this from the broader perspective we also knew there was a real need within the community," she said, adding that the Chamber did an excellent job in helping to identify the needs a community centre could fulfil. "Out of that process has developed a very comprehensive identified list of needs and so the Ag. Society has responded to that by incorporating into this building a very multi-functioning community centre."

The plans call for the ability to seat 1,000 people for community dinners, but also offer the flexibility of breaking that space into numerous meeting rooms.

The event will be held on April 28, beginning at 5 p.m. at the Olds Cow Palace.