The old Stampede Grounds in Meadow Lake are deemed to be out of use, requiring the construction of new grounds. (Matt Ryan/meadowlakeNOW Staff)

By meadowlakeNOW Staff

Details needed

City asks for more details on Stampede Grounds request

Jul 29, 2022 | 9:00 AM

The City of Meadow Lake responded to funding requests from the local Stampede Association (MLSA) this week, regarding new Stampede Grounds.

Administration was directed by city council to send a letter to MLSA, expressing interest in providing some funding to the project, but with conditions. The new grounds that are to replace the former grounds and amenities, including a race track, will have to be located outside of the city’s municipal boundaries and the association will have to provide details on the process and timeline for land purchase, construction and proposed use.

Mayor Merlin Seymour said the chief priority is that all user groups of the facility will be on board. This includes chuckwagons, barrel racing, bull riding and roping. Letters of support are also required from the RM of Meadow Lake and Flying Dust First Nation.

“Rather than one entity taking it on, we’re hoping to see the other groups more involved,” Seymour said. “They have to know what the overall plan is and if it will work for everyone.”

Funding considerations must be requested with this information to council on or before Sept. 1. This is would be right before budgeting deliberations begin.

Freedom and Flexibility

How App-Based Work Creates Economic Opportunity

Dec 12, 2025

Riderville

Now for the Hard Part

Dec 10, 2025

Seniors Scene

Christmas is Coming

Dec 09, 2025

“There’s no money in the budget this year, so that’s why the request was that they have their work and request in place by September,” Seymour said.

The city is also wanting to have details on what use and activity the facility will see seasonally and year-round outside of the week-long window where the Stampede takes place.

Converted facility approval

Another building will soon be used for housing youth on an emergency base.

Council approved the application from the Meadow Lake Native Urban Housing Corporation for discretionary use in the R2 – Low Density Residential Zone. The request is for a special care home to be operated at 524 Sixth Avenue West, which would house children 12 and younger as they await placement in foster care.

Seymour said these homes meet an important need within the city.

“There are other ones throughout the community and there’s been no negative feedback on existing ones as they are,” he said.

A public hearing was held, where questions were asked, but no issues were raised over the application.

Scheduled review

Administration notified council of the progress on examining the use of E-scooters and E-bikes in the community.

Seymour said this stems from a few concerns in the community regarding potential hazards from misuse of the relevant devices.

“We just want the people using them to be safe and avoid injuries, especially head injury, by respecting the roadways and pathways they’re on,” he said.

An internal review by bylaw enforcement will cover existing regulations and possible concerns, while the Parks and Rec department handles existing park rules, changes and potential issues. This is pegged for completion by Aug. 31.

Following that review, the second phase will consist of community engagement, with a survey sent out to the public, with an analysis of the results to follow by Sept. 20. Staff will obtain feedback from other stakeholders and jurisdictional bodies by Sept. 30.

Seymour said administration is looking into what other communities are doing on the issue.

“You are required to wear a helmet and the biggest issue is safety,” he said. “Pardon the expression, but they ‘scoot’ along quite quickly.”

On Oct. 15, a review and analysis of all engagement, feedback and research is to be complete, where staff can then identify options and recommendations, review them and send for legal analysis. The completed report prepared for council is scheduled by Nov. 3, with presentation to occur on Nov. 14.

—

cjnbnews@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @meadowlakeNOW