Rocky Mountain House resident Linda Vanson captured this photo from her home at about 5 p.m. Sunday evening.
Email
Print
Letter to Editor
ShareRELATED STORIES
Vandals blamed for Rocky rodeo fire
By Susan Zielinski - Red Deer Advocate
Published: April 29, 2008 12:23 PM
Updated: April 30, 2008 7:56 AM
Vandalism is the official cause of the fire that caused major destruction at the Rocky Mountain House rodeo grounds.
But Clearwater County fire chief Cammie Laird said on Tuesday that exactly how the blaze started won’t be released because police are still investigating.
Rocky Mountain House RCMP had not laid charges or arrested anyone in connection with the fire as of early Tuesday afternoon.
The fire, reported at about 5 p.m. on Sunday, destroyed the only building on the grounds at North Saskatchewan River Park.
The building contained the announcer’s booth, VIP seating and storage space.
The Rocky Agricultural Stampede Association has decided its rodeo — Rocky Rodeo Pros Out West — will go on as scheduled from June 4 to 8.
Association president Sue Coleman said the first step is to get an engineer to assess the damage to see if any part of the structure can be salvaged and used for reconstruction.
Nothing but the metal frame remained of the upper levels of the facility. Fire also damaged nearby animal chutes.
“We’re going to try to have a worker bee this weekend,” Coleman said.
“We don’t have a lot of time to dwell on things. We just have to get on with it.”
The association determined on Monday night that it did not have insurance for the destroyed building. Only liability insurance was in place for the rodeo.
The building was estimated to be worth about $150,000.
“I guess it’s our own fault. We didn’t think of getting property insurance,” Coleman said.
The association didn’t have insurance on the building at its former site either, she added.
A lot of work will be necessary to clean up the grounds, rebuild or set up temporary structures for the announcer and VIP seating to accommodate 150 people.
Anyone who can help out by donating money, supplies or expertise can call association members Greg Rizt 403-845-0490 or Lorrie McMeekin at 403-845-9851.
Contact Susan Zielinski at szielinski@reddeeradvocate.com
