The grandstand at the Yorkton Exhibition Association grounds requires some significant maintenance if it is to stay in service.
“It’s in need of some repairs,” said Lori Walsh, past president with YEA.
Walsh said the YEA was informed by the City of concerns with the grandstand, noting the city has a regular review process of all of their buildings and it was through that review that the issues were identified. The City brought the issue forward to Management Board with a recommendation to demolish as they believed it was beyond repair and the city did not have the funds to repair it.
“We fought to get maintenance done rather than demolish it,” she said.
The “YEA requested second opinions on the structure and they came back satisfactory however there definitely are items requiring attention,” said Walsh.
YEA now needs to generate community support to help us complete the repairs so we do not lose the grandstand, she saidadding the YEA feels the grandstand is a much-needed facility.
“If we lost the grandstand we would never get it back,” said Walsh.
Walsh said the heart of the grandstand structure “is metal and steel”, so they are confident it can be fixed to the standard needed.
How much that work will cost is another question yet to be fully determined.
“We’re in the process of getting the total. We have contractors going in to see what needs to be done,” said Walsh.
The existing grandstand was originally constructed in 1958, when it replaced the original structure build in 1914.
Walsh noted many great events have taken place in front of the grandstand over the years, attracting thousands of people to Yorkton. Some of these great events include: chuckwagon and chariot races, RCMP musical ride (scheduled to return in September), summer fair performances, The Health Foundation’s Rhythm’n Ribs, tractor pulls, monster truck shows, city and provincial anniversaries and others.
While Walsh said if the grandstand were needed in a month it is not to the point it would likely be closed, work is needed sooner than later.
To begin raising awareness of the need to fix the structure, and to start fundraising Walsh will team with Wade Windjack as competitors with the upcoming Yorkton Ballroom Blitz with their charity ‘Save the Grandstand’. Donations can be made through www.yorktonballroomblitz.ca, through the Yorkton Exhibition office or by contacting Walsh directly.
“We need to ensure the grandstand is maintained, as a city the size of Yorkton should continue to attract events such as those noted above plus other new and exciting events,” said Walsh. “Without a grandstand, attracting events would be extremely difficult.”
