Prairieland Park
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| Saskatoon Prarieland Park Corporation | |
|---|---|
| Type | Not for profit |
| Founded | |
| Headquarters | 503 Ruth Street West, Saskatoon, SK, Canada |
| Key people | Vic Dubois - President [1] |
| Industry | Exhibition Park |
| Products | Annual Fair and Exhibition Space |
| Employees | 75 (Year Round) - 300 (Sessional) |
| Website | Saskatoon Ex |
Prairieland Park is an events centre in the south-eastern portion of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. The park is located in the Exhibition neighborhood of Saskatoon. Each year the park hosts an annual Saskatoon Exhibition called "The Ex". During the remainder of the year most of the park venues are rented out to special events. Some events held are Western Canadian Crop Production Show, Saskathewan indemand trade show, Saskatoon Fall Fair cattle show and sale, Pet Expo, Chuckwagon Racing, and the Prairieland Junior Ag Showcase.[2] The park also host Marquis Downs and the Saskatchewan Western Development Museum.
The Agriculture Department is heavily involved in the community host 4H events. [3]
It currently hosts 321 events a year, which attracts 1.6 million people.
Contents |
[edit] The Ex
The Ex is an annual fair that occurs on the site each August. This includes amusment rides, product exhibitions, music, shows and displays. Normally occurring at the same time are chuckwagon races at the Marquis downs facility.
[edit] History
In 2008 the park started a major $2.8 Million expansion to build 27.000 square-foot agriculture and equine centre plus an attached 45,000 square-foot stabling facility for year-round use. Freeing up the existing Trade Centre facility to be used exclusively for conventions and trade shows. [4] Western Economic Diversification Canada and Saskatchewan Government's Ministry of Municipal Affairs under the Saskatoon Urban Development Agreement (UDA) are investing $2.8 million in the 20,000 square-foot building expansion of Prairieland Park's Trade Centre.[5]
[edit] Saskatchewan Western Development Museum
- See also: Saskatchewan Western Development Museum
In 2007, the Government of Saskatchewan offered a $2 million grant for the province's centennial project Winning the Prairie Gamble initiated by the Saskatchewan Western Development Museum {WDM}.[6] The Saskatoon Branch of the WDM features a 1910 Boomtown enclosed within the museum itself. As well, the Saskatchewan Agricultural Hall of Fame is housed here.[7] The Saskatoon branch of the WDM was originally located on 11th Street on the city's west side, where it hosted an annual festival called "Pion-Era". The Saskatoon WDM relocated to its current site on the Prairieland Park grounds in the early 1970s.
[edit] Marquis Downs Race Course
- See also: Marquis Downs
Marquis Downs is a horse race track in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada which features both Thoroughbred and Standardbred horse racing. Principal races are Prairie Lily Stakes, Saskatchewan Derby, and Saskatchewan Futurity.[8] The minimum purse in 2007 was $3,000 and the Heritage races featured a $100,000 purse.[9]
[edit] Buildings
The facility consists of the following buildings:
- Trade Centre Complex [10]
- Hall A (37,000 square foot exhibition area)
- Hall B (two 16,000 square foot exhibition areas)
- Hall C (18,000 square foot exhibition spare)
- Terrace (located above hall C consists of an 8,000 square foot reception room)
- Hall D (50,400 square feet exhibition space)
- Hall E (Opened in December 2006, with 58,000 square feet exhibition space)
- Grand Stand
- Western Development Museum Building
- Marquis Downs Building
The Jubilee (Industry and Agriculture) Building was a former exhibition areas that has been demolished in 2006 to make room for Hall E. [11]
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ^ http://www.saskatoonex.com/pdf/newsletter_apr08.pdf
- ^ Tourism Saskatoon - Prairieland Park. Retrieved on 2008-05-12.
- ^ http://www.saskatoonex.com/pdf/Oct07.pdf Oct 07 Newsletter
- ^ http://www.saskatoonex.com/pdf/newsletter_jan08.pdf Jan08 Newsletter
- ^ Prairieland Park launches $5.6 million expansion. Western Economic Diversification Canada. Government of Canada. Retrieved on 2008-05-13.
- ^ PROVINCE INCREASES FUNDING OF WESTERN DEVELOPMENT MUSEUM BY $2.8 ..., Government of Saskatchewan, September 27, 2007, <http://www.gov.sk.ca/news?newsId=7c8b3c12-a5c0-4c10-8816-a760c806592f>. Retrieved on 13 May 2008.
- ^ Western Development Museum. Retrieved on 2008-05-13.
- ^ Marquis Downs Saskatoon. Retrieved on 2008-05-13.
- ^ McConachie,, Doug (Friday, May 25, 2007). Horse racing beats the odds at Marquis Downs. The StarPhoenix. Retrieved on 2008-05-13.
- ^ Prairieland Park
- ^ http://www.saskatoonex.com/galleries/Prairieland%20Park%20Building%20Expansion/index.htm Photo Album of Jubilee demolition and Hall E Construction
