ST. PAUL – The St. Paul Agricultural Society signing another three-year contract with the Lakeland Rodeo Association (LRA) means the LRA Finals will once again be back in St. Paul this year, as well as the following three years.
Andre Chamberland, president of the Ag Society, said he is pleased to continue the 36-year tradition of hosting the LRA finals in St. Paul that began in 1988.
“We're looking forward to bringing a bigger and better [rodeo] for our community this fall, and we're hoping to have the LRA Finals for many, many more years to come,” Chamberland told Lakeland This Week.
He said that running a rodeo and hosting the LRA Finals takes a huge financial commitment, and it would not.be possible without support from the community and sponsors.
He also gave a special thanks to the Town of St. Paul for allowing the Ag Society to use the Clancy Richard Arena. “They [also] put the dirt into the arena for us [and] they take dirt out of the arena for us... that’s a huge commitment.”
When asked if the Clancy Richard Arena will be going under renovation this year and if it will affect the annual rodeo, Town of St. Paul Mayor Maureen Miller said any renovation at the arena will not be happening this year.
While there are plans for renovation, which would include fixing an issue of “cooling” underneath the rink floor, “We have not secured the funding for that.”
The Town has already applied for a grant and while there is nothing concrete yet, “We would need to strategically plan around the commitment that the LRA has with the Ag Society.”
Miller also expressed her excitement of the Ag Society securing another three-year contract with the LRA. “It’s definitely a key feature and an expectation for us. We’re appreciative that they did that work to actually bringing the LRA into our community.”
The annual rodeo is always a fun event and “showcases what our community can hold,” said Miller. She explained the contract is a symbol of trust with the LRA “that our community can do it.”
In addition, the rodeo and the LRA Finals also boost the local economy, not only the hospitality sector such as the hotels, restaurants, and grocery stores, but the business community as a whole, according to Miller.
“It’s pulling the community together which we can all use at any given time, but we definitely feel that uptake of energy and pride in our community when we’re able to gather,” she said.
Debra Poulin, president of the St. Paul and District Chamber of Commerce, echoed Miller’s excitement with the contract, explaining the annual rodeo brings opportunities to local businesses.
Not only that, but “it’s a big positive” for everybody, said Poulin. “It brings more economic dollars into town for all businesses... and then it highlights the town, it really does.”
The LRA Finals is scheduled to take place on Aug. 31 to Sept. 3.
