Canadian Finals Rodeo headed to Red Deer

The Canadian Finals Rodeo has a new home.

After months of uncertainty the annual event is moving to Red Deer after 44 years in Edmonton.

The last CFR was held at Edmonton’s Northlands Coliseum in November.

The rodeo was forced to move when the city decided to close the arena and the Oilers Entertainment Group chose not to bid to keep the event at Rogers Place.

The City of Red Deer put in a bid to move the event south in December.

The rodeo features bull riding, barrel racing, tiedown roping, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling and other events.

“We are pleased to announce that Red Deer and central Alberta will be the new home of the CFR for at least the next 10 years,” Westerner Park CEO Ben Antifaiff said to applause Tuesday.

While the rodeo is moving to a smaller venue — the Enmax Centrium in Red Deer has 7,100 seats, about 10,000 fewer seats than the Coliseum — organizers say the event will boost the local economy.

“This event will create a major economic impact for Red Deer and over time, central Alberta will be known as the home of the CFR,” said Jeff Robson, general manager of the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association.

Edmonton Northlands estimated that the CFR and a tandem farm fair event together pumped up to $50 million a year into Edmonton’s economy.