Lethbridge and District Exhibition's new Agri-Food Hub and Trade Centre hosts first major event
After more than 20 years of planning, Lethbridge and District Exhibition's Agri-Food Hub and Trade Centre is open for the 2023 Whoop-Up Days.
Tuesday was the first time most visitors got to see the massive, 268,000-square-foot venue in person.
"Yesterday was a very special day," said Mike Warkentin, Exhibition CEO.
"To see this building activated with thousands of people throughout the day is exactly what this facility is meant to be for the community."
The grand opening was held on Aug. 10, but Whoop-Up Days is the first big opportunity to show the Agri-Food Hub and Trade Centre off to the larger public.
The grand opening was held on Aug. 10, but Whoop-Up Days is the first big opportunity to show the facility off to the larger public.
"This entire building is programmed," Warkentin said.
"We have the Living Dragons exhibit, the Whoop-Up Days Marketplace, the Siksikaitsitapi Powwow happening today and tomorrow, and then we have Pure Power Wrestling happening on Friday night, so there is programming happening throughout this space."
The centre features three banquet salons, four large meeting rooms and four massive trade halls.
Two of the halls are being used for the Whoop-Up Days Marketplace and will be home to the Saturday Farmers’ Market.
The grand opening was held on Aug. 10, but Whoop-Up Days is the first big opportunity to show the Agri-Food Hub and Trade Centre off to the larger public.
Exhibitors say the space is a big upgrade.
"It's massive and I like the room," said Lorna Ruud, who sells homemade jewelry and more.
"Lots of space in between the booths and the personnel is really nice so far and the customers are good, too."
"I believe we have about 80 exhibitors here right now and we haven't even filled the hall," added Jamie Bootsma, owner of Bootsma Bakery.
"It's not even halfway full, so it's fantastic and we can hold big events here."
The grand opening was held on Aug. 10, but Whoop-Up Days is the first big opportunity to show the Agri-Food Hub and Trade Centre off to the larger public.
Some visitors say they've been waiting years to see the finished product and are blown away by the outcome.
"I've been wondering what they've been doing here for like two or three years now, so I'm really impressed, first time in it," Katie-Jo Hatfield told CTV News.
"It's nice, it's big, it's a very modern facility, so I think it's a good thing," added Larry Andrews.
"I like it so far. I've seen very little, but I like it."
The grand opening was held on Aug. 10, but Whoop-Up Days is the first big opportunity to show the Agri-Food Hub and Trade Centre off to the larger public.
The new Agri-Food Hub and Trade Centre will host events year-round.
"Lethbridge and southern Alberta deserve a space like this to come together and to welcome the world to celebrate what we all know is so great about southern Alberta, but this place brings that all together and gets to bring the community together," Warkentin said.
The project cost $75.3 million and took just over two years to complete following the groundbreaking in 2021.
The 2023 Whoop-Up Days is free to attend and runs until Aug. 26.
The grand opening was held on Aug. 10, but Whoop-Up Days is the first big opportunity to show the Agri-Food Hub and Trade Centre off to the larger public.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
India's foreign minister reacts to murder charges, claims Canada welcomes criminals
India's Foreign Affairs Minister accused Canada of welcoming criminals from his country in response to the RCMP's recent arrests in a homicide that has roiled tensions between the two countries.
15-year-old boy stabbed in Ottawa on Thursday dies
A 15-year old boy who was critically injured after a stabbing in Nepean on Thursday has died of his injuries, Ottawa's English public school board said Sunday.
Dash cam catches moment suspected drunk driver hits parked car, sends it careening into North Shore flower shop
Police say it’s fortunate no one was injured or killed in a collision at North Vancouver’s Park and Tilford shopping centre Saturday evening that sent one vehicle careening into a flower shop and another into a set of concrete barriers outside a Winners store.
Actor Bernard Hill, of 'Titanic' and 'Lord of the Rings,' has died at 79
Actor Bernard Hill, who delivered a rousing cry before leading his people into battle in 'The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King' and went down with the ship as the captain in 'Titanic,' has died.
'A tiny city:' Pro-Palestinian campus protesters organize for another week
Pro-Palestinian activists have set up tents at universities in Toronto, Ottawa, Vancouver and Montreal, following a wave of similar protests at campuses in the United States linked to the Israel-Hamas war.
Lawsuit against Meta asks if Facebook users have right to control their feeds using external tools
Do social media users have the right to control what they see — or don't see — on their feeds?
A Holocaust survivor will mark that history differently after the horrors of Oct. 7
This year's Holocaust Remembrance Day, which begins on Sunday evening in Israel, carries a heavier weight than usual for many Jews around the world.
Princess Anne lays wreath at Battle of Atlantic ceremony; honours late Queen
Princess Anne saluted Canadian veterans and current forces members and honoured her late mother during separate ceremonies Sunday in Victoria as she wrapped up a three-day British Columbia West Coast royal visit.
El Nino weakening doesn't mean cooler temperatures this summer, forecasters say
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.