Canovas Energy Hub is located at 1-3905 – 39 Avenue, Lloydminster, Sask. (photo courtesy/ City of Lloydminster)

By Kenneth Cheung

ENTERTAINMENT

Three concerts coming to new Cenovus Energy Hub under $1.25M budget

Aug 26, 2025 | 4:02 PM

Lloydminster city council has approved a $1.25-million plan to bring three big concerts to the new Cenovus Energy Hub in 2026.

The money will cover artist fees, stage and equipment rentals, ticketing costs and insurance. The city will dip into reserve funds to pay deposits this year and expects to recover the money through ticket sales and sponsorships.

Community development services director Don Bowey told councillors the approval lets the city start booking acts.

“So that administration can secure artists and procure other contract expenses in advance of the events taking place,” he said.

The arena is set to have its grand opening on Oct. 1.

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How the shows break down

The city expects to break even if 70 per cent of tickets are sold. Any sales above that would be profit. Each concert also includes a $10,000 contingency fund for unexpected costs.

• Concert 1: Budgeted at $396,433. Most of the money goes to artist fees ($260,000), with the rest covering production, ticketing, contracted services and a contingency. Revenues are projected at $386,433 from ticket sales and $10,000 from sponsorship.
• Concert 2: The largest show, with a $463,012 budget. Artist fees are pegged at $320,000. Revenues are expected to come from $453,012 in ticket sales and $10,000 in sponsorship.
• Concert 3: Another $396,433 concert, expected to be organized with Vic Juba Community Theatre once their agreement is finalized. Ticket sales are projected at $363,433, plus $10,000 in sponsorship.

Bowey said the city set a “high watermark” for artist fees to give flexibility in negotiations.

On sponsorship, he said the city is budgeting cautiously at $10,000 per show, even though industry experts suggest sponsors could cover more.

“Larger sponsorships [could be] anywhere from like 10 per cent to 20 per cent of expenses… We wanted to be a little conservative in our estimates and understand the market and be a little bit careful on that.”

Only one of the 2026 concerts is expected to be run with Vic Juba, with a fuller partnership starting in 2027.

Bowey said residents could start hearing about performers and show details soon.

“Our hope is that we can inform the community very soon of our plans and bring some of the excitement around this massive undertaking,” he said.

Read more –

Puck drops on lease deals ahead of Lloyminster’s over $96M arena opening

Puck drops on a new era: Lloydminster’s $101M Cenovus Energy Hub to open Oct. 1

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Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com