It has been another good year at the Calnash Ag Event Centre and the proof is in the financials as presented during the Ponoka Ag Event Centre Society’s (PAECS) annual general meeting.
PAECS president Terry Jones told attendees at the AGM Monday, April 27 that he is proud of the growth the ag centre has seen. He said managers Joyce Vold and Dennis Pugh have done so well that the centre has only two weekends available for 2015.
“It’s pretty awesome to be booked up,” said Jones.
A big project the association will be working on in the near future is fundraising for a roof to connect the barn and the main arena. He feels joining the two buildings will bring new events to Ponoka during the winter months.
The Alberta Barrel Racing Association (ABRA) finals continues to be a big draw for the ag centre. “We’re thrilled to have the ABRA. They’re our biggest customer and they signed a five year lease,” said Jones.
This year’s AGM was a little different than last year’s as the financial statements do not include the operation revenues and expenses as that belongs to the Ponoka Agricultural Society (PAS). Operations and staff salaries belong to PAS to take advantage of provincial grants available to agriculture societies.
Revenues up for the centre
Revenues for the building at the end of September 2014 were at $970,594 with expenses coming in at $817,605. The difference left the ag centre with a surplus of $152,989 explained Gord Parker, accountant with Rowland, Parker and Associates.
Despite that, there is some interest on the capital debt at the building and PAECS had a shortfall of $66,452, just under half of which was due to a goods and services tax adjustment. Canada Revenue Agency proposed to disallow $487,576 in Input Tax Credits that were previously claimed, the maximum expected liability is $32,300.
The other expense is from interest and bank charges. Despite the difference, between PAECS and PAS operating, the society is still seeing a positive revenue of $86,537.
PAECS’ cash position at the end of its fiscal year – Sept. 30, 2014 – was $356,073, just over twice the figure in 2013, which was $174,886.
Youth rodeo school
One area that Jones feels PAECS is short on is having a youth rodeo school. He suggests a rodeo school in one or two week courses would be ideal for the ag centre.
“My goal is to buy a set of bucking shoots and start having some rodeo schools for the youth and teach them the right way to ride,” said Jones.
He feels there is a wealth of knowledge in Ponoka that could provide valuable experience to young rodeo athletes. “We have the local guys around town that have the expertise,” he said.
Other events such as the Festival of Trees and recent bull sales have proved to be successful events at the centre, he added. The Festival of Trees is set to occur at the centre again this year.
Directors passed terms of service
One issue that requires attention is that the bylaws of the organization may have been violated by the length of the term served by some of the PAECS board of directors.
On July 18, 2008 the society was formed with members being allowed two terms of service. A term of service was set at three years. The bylaws state that: “Board members may serve on the board for a maximum of two consecutive three-year terms.”
The board consists of four partners: the Ponoka Stampede and Exhibition Association (three members), PAS (three members), the Town of Ponoka and Ponoka County (both one member) and one more member at large representing the community. PAECS has not had a member at large for some years.
PAS members of the board, Cec Dykstra and Sherry Gummow and Stampede members Jones, Dale Olsen and Danny Jones were members since PAECS was formed. It is believed their terms of service ended July 18, 2014.
Jones said a new policy and procedures committee has been formed to discuss potential changes in the bylaws. “We’ve been meeting the last month and the policy and procedures committee has been going over the bylaws and setting the policy.”
He added that much has changed since the board was formed and the committee, along with a lawyer, will put forward suggestions to the PAECS board as to how to proceed. Jones is in favour of keeping existing board members. When asked if there is a benefit to changing directors, he disagreed.
“The members we have now, they’re all in it for the same reason. It’s to make this the best facility in Canada,” said Jones.
He likened keeping the same directors to the Ponoka Stampede and Exhibition Association and the success they have had over the years. “We have such a good board right now.”
Looking for a member at large
The last member at large was Don Letwinetz, who left a few years ago. Jones said it can be a challenge to find someone willing to put in the hours. The board has advertised for the position but a suitable candidate has not been found.
“You’ve gotta be community minded and willing to volunteer,” explained Jones of the position.
He says while attending meetings is one part of the job, it’s also working closely with the staff and working to fundraise for PAECS.