Community support is needed to help the Red Deer Royals meet their fundraising goal for their new home base.
The marching band is set to take over space at the new St. Joseph High School which is currently being built on the northeast side of the City. The Kinsmen Field House – Home of the Red Deer Royals is set to be occupied next spring.
Ray McBeth, fundraising director for the Red Deer Royals Alumni Association, said officials have raised about 60% of the $2.8 million commitment for the new space.
The alumni association is currently in the running for a $100,000 grant from Aviva and community support is needed to vote for the Royals in order to help them secure those funds. There are about 400 other causes competing for grants.
The project is a $100,000 grant from Aviva. To vote, visit https://www.avivacommunityfund.org/voting/project/view/16-343.
“We have to supply $2.8 million, or about 60 per cent of building the fieldhouse which is attached to the new St. Joseph’s High School,” said McBeth. “We’ve been at it for over eight years. It’s been a project that has been fairly complex because we need a facility that large.”
As of Monday morning, the Red Deer Royals had more than 9,300 votes, but were still a couple thousand votes away from the leaders. Voting ends on Oct. 28th with the top 15 projects advancing to the next round.
In addition, the group has represented Alberta on the international stage as well as performed valuable public service through their 50-plus annual performances at events around Alberta.
In addition to traveling within Canada, the group has performed and competed in Europe, Australia, the United States and Asia.
The band is approaching its 50th anniversary but has never had a permanent home for rehearsals and performances. They have used schools, pavilions designed for agricultural/livestock shows, an empty strip mall and an airport hangar.
A long-term agreement with Red Deer Catholic Schools will ensure that the Royals have appropriate rehearsal and performance space well into the future. This facility includes designs specifically to meet the needs of a large marching show band and will include acoustic equipment appropriate for the band.
“There is huge support for the Royals, there is no question. They have an outstanding reputation,” said McBeth.
efawcett@reddeerexpress.com
