It is a time of transition for the Shuswap Agricultural Association (SAA), now under the direction of an entirely new board.
Nine people have stepped up to take over the reins of the SAA, including Mike O'Brien, Taryn Cass, Megan Drury, Scott Hutchison, Collin Giszas, Sandy Giszas, Thomas Giszas, Paul Meyer and Kimberly Reese. All of the new board members are connected to the Shuswap 4-H Club, with the majority of them directly involved.
"I think it’s fair to say that we are definitely wanting to refocus the fair as an agriculturally oriented fair," said Drury following SAA's annual general meeting on Thursday, March 13, when the new board was selected by nomination. "We’ve seen less livestock in some of the barns and we would really love to fill the barns."
Up to 10 positions were open with the association as the entire board had chosen to step down.
"As many of you are aware, our entire board has decided to step down, as well as our staff positions, to create space to allow those who believe they have a vision to guide the organization forward the full opportunity to do so," commented former board president Steven DeBoer in his opening report. "We wish them luck and every success in doing that, and to help support them we’ve endeavoured to leave them with as much flexibility as possible."
That flexibility included close to $200,000 in the bank and the opportunity for the new board to do the 2025 budget. DeBoer explained the budget was put on hold to see the outcome of a special meeting held in January, when a motion was tabled to give the board approval to negotiate SAA's lease for the south fairgrounds back to the city. The motion was defeated.
"We wanted to wait for the outcome of the special meeting because that was going to have a significant impact on the budget for the year and… we didn’t want to handcuff or constrain any new group taking over the leadership or direction of the new organization," said Deboer.
Reflecting on 2024, highlights for DeBoer included the Salmon Arm Fair, which he said "turned out to be one of our best," and the return of the demolition derby "that was, by all accounts, a tremendously successful event."
DeBoer said it was also a year of challenges, particularly with maintenance on the south fairgrounds.
"Maintaining the south grounds, the cost of vandalism, theft and damage continue to be a challenge, and finding new and different ways to raise revenue to offset that has continued to be difficult," said DeBoer.
Former treasurer Norm Brown cautioned those challenges contribute to an annual loss of about $100,000.
"The major problem we have and we face every day is the buildings over there," said Brown of the south fairgrounds. "They’re in bad shape and we’re just constantly fixing them. Most of the time labour is free. We had $20,000 last year in damage caused by people on the sites. That $20,000 was only for material. Everything else was paid in free labour from our board.
"So I would like to wish the new board well, you have a challenge, you have money to start and I think you’ve got a year and a half tops to turn this around financially."
SAA executive director and fair manager Jim McEwan echoed the challenges shared by DeBoer, and stressed the importance of the fair continuing.
"It is important, yes, it’s a privilege, but it’s also critical that we keep the fair going," said McEwan.
Following the nominations of new board members, Thomas Giszas offered his gratitude to the outgoing board.
"I would like to thank the board that stood for so many years for all the work and success…," he said. "I just want to let you know it isn’t a hostile takeover like I heard…
"I just want to thank you and I’m hoping we can work with you guys. We do need to get a fair going this year and we need all the help and support we can from everybody, all the volunteers and that."
Drury said the new board members want to bring more equestrian events back to the Salmon Arm fair, and more livestock to the fairgrounds.
"It’s definitely important to look at other events that are going to generate money for the agricultural association to make it financially viable," said Drury. "I think that the more positive foot prints, paw prints and hoof prints we have down here at the fairgrounds, the less of a problem we’re going to have with vandalism."
McEwan was pleased to see the new board made up of individuals who are directly involved in agriculture.
"I think that’s perfect, I think that’s exactly what the organization needs… those that are connected with the local agriculture scene," said McEwan. "And I think if (Shuswap) Food Action Society gets involved more that would be a good thing as well.
"I see it’s going to be a good future. Keep in mind the fair is just one part… we do a good job of the fair but I think there’s… a bigger opportunity out there and that’s what I think this group will be able to bring in."
