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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