BONNYVILLE - The MD of Bonnyville is sponsoring the 2025 Bonnyville Oil and Gas show to the tune of $15,000.
The Bonnyville and District Chamber of Commerce (BDCC) is hosting the Oil and Gas show on June 18 and 19 at the C2 Centre.
During the April 22 council meeting, Lisa Folliott, manager of Planning and Development for the MD of Bonnyville, described the Oil and Gas show as an event that “brings technology, innovation and the transfer of knowledge to a single event, drawing industry experts from across the region.”
Representatives from the BDCC had requested a $12,500 sponsorship from the MD and offered a list of other sponsorship opportunities, maxing out at $15,000.
Coun. Dana Swigart said the event is “really valuable for the area” and brought up a previously conversation among council, where it was discussed the MD should designate a source of funding for the event, since it happens every two years.
“Every two years it comes up, and we get questioned on where [funding] should come from. I think we should be budgeting for it,” said Swigart.
Deputy Reeve Darcy Skarsen said he had received correspondence from BDCC Executive Director Serena Lyons, saying the $15,000 sponsorship package was available.
“I got thinking that might be the best opportunity for us. What better way to say that we are open for business than by sponsoring the opening ceremony?” said Skarsen.
He made a motion to sponsor the event for $15,000, to be funded from the Community Action Grant Reserve
Coun. Ben Fadeyiw commented that council has been a supporter of the event for as long as he has been in council but would rather sponsor the event for the $12,500 that was requested.
Skarsen brought up council’s previous sponsorship of the Lakeland Xtreme Bronc & Bulls events.
“Ten minutes ago, we sponsored a cowboy event for $10,000. This one shouldn’t even be a thought - oil and gas is our lifeline here and we should be the premier sponsor of this event, every year.”
Coun. Josh Crick agreed with Fadeyiw, and noted that the MD does support the BDCC financially.
“It’s $2500 we’re arguing about, but I think I’d rather just go with the [requested amount] myself,” said Crick.
The motion to sponsor the event for $15,000 was carried by a vote of 4-2.
