The Guy-Donnelly Sportex is already on a list of beneficiaries that will receive a share of gambling proceeds from Grande Prairie's Great Northern Casino. Dan Dion, who was elected president of the Guy-Donnelly Sportex arena committee five months ago, said it's his goal to keep the Sportex open during his tenure on the board. There used to be government programs that would help pay for operating expenses like custodians, but those don't exist anymore. His comments come at a time when the arena committee is gearing up for its annual 2001 Farm Venture fundraiser. The fundraiser enlists volunteer labor every year to seed some rented land for a cash crop.
Donations help pay for expenses and operational costs.
As successful as the Farm Venture project has been during the last several years, however, Dion said the board is aware of the market and weather conditions that could affect the viability of this year's program. That possibility was the reason for launching the casino fundraiser. We don't want people to think the Farm Venture program isn't an important part of the arena's fund-raising program. It still is. All Rights Reserved.