CALGARY, Alberta – AltaLink and the Calgary Stampede are proud to announce a partnership that will support rural youth and farm families through a new farm safety and prevention program. AltaLink’s generous $1.5 million gift will create AltaLink Hall within the existing Agrium Western Event Centre to support agriculture programming benefitting rural communities. In addition to this gift, AltaLink will also support a new annual one-day farm safety program on Stampede Park to educate youth on safety best practices.
“We’re honoured to step up during these tough economic times to partner with the Calgary Stampede and support agricultural communities across Alberta,” says Scott Thon, President and CEO, AltaLink. “Our employees work across rural Alberta every day to keep the lights on in our province, so supporting farm families is important to us. We’re proud the AltaLink Hall will be home to Farm Safety Day – a program that develops tangible prevention skills and enables a culture of safety among our youth and families involved in Alberta’s key agricultural sector.”
Farm Safety Day will provide safety lessons tailored to various audiences and will include topics such as infrastructure, vehicles, farm equipment, and animals.
“AltaLink’s generous donation to create Farm Safety Day and AltaLink Hall is a milestone in the Calgary Stampede’s effort to continue to showcase agriculture and western experiences,” says Warren Connell, CEO, Calgary Stampede. “We are aligned with AltaLink’s vision to support Alberta’s agriculture communities and are committed to educate youth on best practices around farm safety.”
The first Farm Safety Day will be held at Stampede Park in AltaLink Hall on Thursday, March 24, 2016. The interactive program will be aimed at rural youth in grades six through nine. More information and sign-up details will be available at www.calgarystampede.com/ag. The Calgary Stampede will actively work with school districts to bring awareness about Farm Safety Day.
The focus on farm safety aligns closely with AltaLink’s long-standing partnership with Alberta 4-H, which was just extended into 2019. AltaLink is proud to have the opportunity to continue to support rural Alberta communities with Alberta 4-H for five more years.
AltaLink Hall is a 20,000 square foot multi-purpose space within the Agrium Western Event Centre. It is a premier destination for youth-oriented agriculture learning year-round and during Stampede. Programs that run in AltaLink Hall – Ag-tivity in the City, Seed Survivor and more – attract hundreds of thousands of visitors per year.
About AltaLink
Headquartered in Calgary, with offices in Edmonton, Red Deer and Lethbridge, AltaLink is Alberta’s largest electricity transmission provider. We are committed to meeting the province’s demand for electricity, providing innovative solutions, and partnering with our stakeholders and communities in doing so. A wholly-owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Energy, AltaLink is part of a global group of companies delivering electricity and utility services to customers worldwide.
About the Calgary Stampede
The Calgary Stampede celebrates the people, the animals, the land, the traditions and the values that make up the unique spirit of the west. The Calgary Stampede contributes to the quality of life in Calgary and southern Alberta through our world-renowned Stampede, year-round facilities, western events and several youth and agriculture programs. Exemplifying the theme We’re Greatest Together, we are a volunteer-supported, not-for-profit community organization that preserves and celebrates our western heritage, cultures and community spirit. All revenue is reinvested into Calgary Stampede programs and facilities.
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For more information please contact:
Robin Boschman
Manager, Corporate Communications
AltaLink
P. 403-828-1525
E. robin.boschman@altalink.ca
Jennifer Booth
Manager, Public Relations
Calgary Stampede
P. 403.261.0327
M. 403.463.3834
E. jbooth@calgarystampede.com