The Barrhead Ag Society is a key fixture in our community when it comes to hosting events and investing in community infrastructure. Their recent project to pave and add accessible seating to the rodeo grounds is just one of many projects that invest in making our community a more enjoyable and inclusive place.

One ongoing need that the Ag Society has identified in our community is more space to host events, whether they are community events, weddings, reunions, or large meetings and conferences. In 2019, they took what was once merely an indoor beer garden and expanded and renovated it into a year-round event space, adding insulation, heating, washrooms, and a basic kitchen. This made Bablitz Hall a valuable space beyond just the Ag Society's events, but it hasn't quite met it's full potential.

The space currently lacks a commercial kitchen that is up to the standards that Alberta Health requires, or that meets the functional needs of caterers and professional food preparations. With the addition of a commercial kitchen, the space is transformed from an indoor venue with bathrooms to a fully functional event space for weddings, reunions, and catered community and business events. 

The addition of a commercial kitchen also opens up opportunities for use by community groups looking to host cooking classes, small businesses in need of an AHS certified kitchen space, and expands the capacity of our local caterers.

"An upgraded kitchen at Bablitz Hall would allow our organization to host additional events and for all food prep to be done on site, improving functionality of the space. It would also provide the opportunity for our Foods Projects to experience cooking in a commercial kitchen and gain valuable skills." — Stacey Meunier, Barrhead District 4-H Council

"A commercial-grade kitchen would create increased opportunities for community connection, skill development, fundraising initiatives, and accessible events that benefit people of all abilities." — Diane Magill, Blue Heron Support Services

You can be a Community Builder!

Co-op is rising to the challenge of helping the Barrhead Ag Society raise their last $30,000 toward the project through our Community Builder matching fundraising program. Join us at events surrounding the upcoming WRA Finals Rodeo to contribute to this great project and see your funds go even farther!

For every $1 you donate at these Co-op fundraising events, you will have a $4 impact, with a 3X match from Co-op*.

That means your $5 donation becomes $20, and your $25 can become $100!

Join us at these WRA Finals Rodeo events to stack your support:

• WRA Finals Kickoff Community Builder BBQ — Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026 from 11am to 2pm downtown at the Barrhead Ford parking lot.
• WRA Finals Community Builder Breakfast — Friday, Sept. 18, 2026 from 8:30am to 10:30am at the Pembina West Co-op Home Centre.
• WRA Finals Rodeo Performances — Find the Co-op table during any of the rodeo performances to make your donation. Performances are indoors at the Barrhead Agrena.
  • Thursday @ 7pm
  • Friday @ 7pm
  • Saturday @ noon
  • Saturday @ 6pm
  • Sunday @ 1pm

If you can't make it out to the rodeo events, we will also be accepting donations at the tills of all Pembina West Co-op locations in Barrhead throughout the rodeo weekend, Thursday, Sept. 17 to Sunday, Sept. 20th.

*Matching funds available from Co-op through this program are capped at $22,500 for a total of $30,000 in support. If consumer donations total more than $7,500, 100% of the additional funds raised will be donated straight to the Barrhead Ag Society with no additional matching.