The Nicola Valley Rodeo Association (NVRA) Rodeo Grounds has been the go-to venue for all rodeo related events in the Nicola Valley, such as the Pro Rodeo, High School Rodeo, and Little Britches Rodeo. However, the association wants to expand the grounds’ utility and have it used for non-rodeo related events. With this in mind, NVRA had secured funding from both the Province of BC and the Thompson Nicola Regional District (TNRD). The grants received are now being used to fund the upgrades being done throughout the premises.

A total amount of $570,000 combined from both the Province and TNRD is being used to fund the upgrades of the rodeo grounds. 

“We applied for funding to assist us in developing a long term expansion plan for the use of the rodeo grounds,” said NVRA President Peter Spencer. “We don’t want to just host the grounds for rodeo events but also use the grounds for reception for events like weddings or concerts like the Elvis Festival we recently had.” 

NVRA had received a $440,000 grant from the Province of BC, through their Community Economic Recovery Program. The association also secured $130,000 from the TNRD through their Canada Community Building fund. The association applied both these grants in the spring of 2021. 

“Around early 2019, the City helped us retain a couple of people who walked through the facility with us, look at what we’re doing and helped us come up with a long term plan,” said Spencer.

“As part of this long term plan, we knew that the electrical power that we had was insufficient,” he explained. “We blew out circuits on previous events because we didn’t have sufficient power to meet the needs for more than just daytime rodeo.”

Utilizing their new budget, NVRA installed a new lighting system to the Rodeo Grounds. Spencer noted that with the help of BC Hydro, the grounds now have an increased flow of power to light up the area should events extend until dark. The facility now also have installed RV hookups and power boxes for potential food vendors. 

“This facility is really unique,” said Spencer. “It’s very unusual for a non-profit association to own 22 acres with a grandstand and buildings. Usually these kinds of facilities would be owned by the local community, by the City, or by the Regional District.” 

Along with the electrical upgrades, the facility now boasts a new sound system, sprinkler system, and expanded fencing to increase the size of the plaza. 

“We, as an association, regard this facility as a community facility,” said Spencer. “We see that it has all sorts of potential.” 

NVRA began utilizing the grounds for purposes outside of rodeo. This year, the grounds hosted the Nicola Valley Dog Show, and the Canadian Blue Moon Elvis Festival. It was also used as a venue for a wedding reception. 

Last year, the Rodeo Grounds hosted drive in movie nights and also became a temporary home for wildfire evacuees as the facility opened its doors for campers and their livestock. 

The association expects all of its upgrades will be completed by next year’s Pro Rodeo. 

NVRA still has plans to turn the grounds’ tractor shed into an entry plaza. “It’s all exciting for the long term use of the rodeo grounds and I think we’ll see and expanded use of the facility by the community.”