The Lloyd Ex could see some additional funding as the City of Lloydminster explores a new three-year funding agreement.
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Initially presented to council at the March 16 Governance and Priorities Committee meeting, the funding agreement would see the city give $31,500 to the Ex.
“The Lloydminster Exhibition Association is a major economic driver within the
community,” said Katlin Ducherer, City of Lloydminster economic development officer. “The City of Lloydminster currently supports several of their events throughout the year.”
Ducherer says the city recognizes the need to support the Ex.
“Our city recognizes the need to support the Lloyd Ex and administration is recommending entering a three-year agreement with the organization to allow for continuity, strategic future planning, administration reduction and a forward-thinking process,” she said.
Coun. Jason Whiting agreed, noting the Lloyd Ex is a major economic driver for the community.
“There’s no doubt they are a huge economic driver in our community, there’s a lot of benefit to them,” he said.
Administration gave some insight into how many events the Ex hosts per year.
“Historically, we had over 1,200 events, pre-COVID,” said Ducherer. “We’re creeping back up. Last I talked to them, we’re on schedule to see over 900 events in a year.”
They also talked about the support the city offers the Ex during it’s annual fair.
“What we realized through this process is our in-kind (donation) is very significant,” she said.
The previous agreement, which took place during the COVID-19 pandemic, saw the city pay their funding out to the Ex in one lump sum.
“Speaking to the previous three-year agreement, the one difference is, in this case, when we entered into the first three-year agreement, we up fronted the entire amount for the three years,” said Dion Pollard, Lloydminster city manager. “Now, we’re allocating those dollars over a three-year period.”
The committee accepted the report and it will be brought to a future regular council meeting for decision.
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