Saskatoon has lost the Canadian Finals Rodeo, CTV News has learned. The deal to move the event to Saskatoon from Edmonton for the 2017, 2018 and 2019 years has fallen through, SaskTel Centre’ executive director Scott Ford says. The event is expected to stay in Edmonton next year. “It is disappointing,” Ford said. “We certainly thought we had an agreement in place with a good business plan. Certainly on their side of things I can understand they have a level of comfort – being in Edmonton.” The Canadian Professional Rodeo Association and the City of Saskatoon announced in July a memorandum of understanding had been signed for the national rodeo event to be held in Saskatoon. The decision came after the CPRA did not accept a joint offer from the Oilers Entertainment Group and Northlands to host the finals in Edmonton, where the event had been held for four decades. Ford said SaskTel Centre officials were notified shortly after the Saskatoon announcement of changes in the CPRA that could prevent the event from moving from Edmonton. A new executive director was appointed to the organization, which prompted SaskTel Centre staff to take a wait-and-see approach, he said. “For us, the good thing is it never went on sale,” Ford said. “It was an event we would have loved to host and we would have loved hosting it in Saskatoon.” Ford could not confirm which Edmonton arena will be hosting the 2017 event, but said Northlands Coliseum had been lobbying since July to keep the rodeo finals. Sources tell CTV News in Edmonton details on the change will be set at a meeting on Thursday. CPRA tweeted an announcement would be coming from Northlands on Wednesday. --- with files from CTV Edmonton and CTV Saskatoon's Colin Thomas
