Legacy Period
Over the past 125 years, Northlands Park has created a significant
heritage. For this reason, its history from 2000 onwards is referred to
as the legacy period. Northlands Park has begun the 21st century with
growth, and a new set of challenges. A primary issue at hand is
renovation. With the newest large-scale facility being the AgriCom, extensive expansions and enhancements are needed to
maintain Northlands Park’s competitiveness in areas of service it
has excelled in.
As the
organization's catering business has expanded, facilities become almost
completely booked during the trade show season’s peak. Ensuring the continued hosting of such wildly popular
events as the Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR) requires targeted
renovations, planned for and undertaken by Northlands Park.
Positive social and economic impacts of redevelopment are
expected to outweigh any initial barriers to renovation, as both the Northlands AgriCom and
Rexall Place buildings have played an
integral role in the revitalization of the organization. As the site for the Canadian music industry's 2004
Juno Awards,
Edmonton Oilers home games, and other diverse professional
entertainment, Rexall Place is considered an important resource for the
greater community. Likewise, the AgriCom keeps drawing excited consumer
and industry audiences to its various comprehensive trade events such as the
Edmonton Home and Garden Show.
Never forgetting its roots, the legacy period has seen Northlands
Park increase the integration of environmental sustainability and
agriculture in multiple ways. Keenly aware of the cultural
and economic significance of horseracing in North-central Alberta, stable and racetrack maintenance
practices have taken a prominently "green" direction with composting
becoming a regular practice.
Also honouring the agricultural roots of Northlands Park, were
large-scale fundraising events organized in support of Alberta farmers feeling
the economic blows of drought, stalled livestock sales, and thwarted beef
production. For its remarkable contributions to the community,
Northlands Park has garnered recognition in the environmental and
humanitarian sector.
Just as in the organization's inception many years ago, volunteerism
and community service remain its reasons for being. Educational outreach
programs, educational and cultural scholarships, support of agricultural
youth activities, and events for children with disabilities are a few of the ways in which Northlands
Parks' volunteer board and members strive
to reciprocate the energy drawn from the community.
Looking ahead, the hope for Northlands Park is sustained and healthy
growth, with a focus on younger audiences that can carry the
organizations aspirations into the future while adapting to
ever-changing community needs. With extraordinary volunteer involvement
and the successful establishment of both rural and urban-based events,
the legacy period promises to be exciting for both long-time and new
Northlands Park members, volunteers, and community members.
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