It’s one of the largest indoor, all weather venues in central Alberta and it has garnered a tremendous reputation.
It’s the Calnash Ag Event Centre in Ponoka and while the majority of its success and notoriety has come from the wonderful agricultural-based events, rodeos and barrel racing it hosts, the facility is far more than all things ag.
One such example was this past weekend, as the arena space was home to a large used vehicle sale for the Legacy Auto Group. The three day sale boasted around 200 cars, vans, SUVs and pickup trucks from the groups Ford dealers in Ponoka and Rimbey as well as Toyota City and Legacy Dodge, both in Wetaskiwin.
“It’s a really good venue for us to hold this kind of event. I don’t think there is a better or larger facility around that could host this. It’s simply perfect,” explained Ponoka’s Legacy Ford general manager Pat Boardman.
Other recent examples of some big events at the Calnash include Regina-based ag implement giant Brandt brought in more than $1 million worth of equipment to showcase for dealers and clients as well as international crop, animal and human science leader Bayer — known for products such as Roundup, Aleve and Advantix — used the facility for a major seed and trade show.
“We have always had a very diverse number of events. It’s just that many of them, the public just doesn’t get to see,” explained Calnash’s event coordinator Joyce Vold.
“Just in the past few months, we’ve had four farm equipment events and other trade shows that were invitation only.”
In fact, the Calnash has been so busy this winter there has been very little down time for the facility, with just a few days during the week having been open for bookings.
Vold added the facility is nearly full for the next six months as well, with only a few weekdays remaining open until July and every weekend fully booked until early November.
For more information on what’s going on, head to www.paecs.com.
