The City of Lloydminster is officially making its foray into the live music business.
With the opening of the Cenovus Energy Hub on the horizon, the City of Lloydminster is looking to use its new sports and entertainment facility to host concerts.
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Administration presented to council at the Aug. 18 regular council meeting, requesting approval on the 2026 concert budget . The city will be working to secure artists and procure other concert expenses in advance of the events taking place.
Expenses are currently budgeted at $1,255,878.
“Administration has developed a detailed budget which includes, but is not limited to artist fees, production costs, equipment rentals, promotional costs, security and insurance,” said Don Bowey, manager, Cenovus Energy Hub and arenas.
Administration created the budgets following discussions with industry experts.
“These budgets were informed by facility operating costs and discussions with concert promoters and other industry experts within our network,” said Bowey.
The city anticipates the concerts will not have an impact on the overall budget.
“Ultimately, these two concerts should have a net-zero impact on the City’s overall budget,” he said.
The expense to have the Vic Juba Community Theatre team on board was only factored into the third of the three concerts.
Funding for the budget will be taken from the Recreation and Culture Operating Reserve and will be replenished from concert revenues.
Executive manager of community development services Tracy Simpson gave further details into how the budgets were created.
“In the artist fees ,it includes their fees as well as any green room expenses that we know of in their contracts and carrying some funds for opening acts as well,” she said.
“The first two concerts are a bit more specific because we are dealing directly with two producers for those shows.”
While administration has done some work to identify the overall costs of the concerts, more detailed budgets are expected as the concerts get closer to fruition.
“We will see a more defined budget as we move forward,” said Mayor Gerald Aalbers. “This is that preliminary (budget) based on what they’ve done, but there’ll be some refinement as things move forward.
“We want to ensure we are transparent with the community.”
He says there is some risk any time the city gets into a new business venture.
“There’s potential revenues but there’s also potential costs,” said Aalbers.
Council approved the 2026 concert budget with expenses of $1,255,787 and revenue of $1,255,878. Council also directed administration to pre-pay any contractual expenses required in 2025.
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