No matter what route the Weyburn Agricultural Society takes to upgrade the grandstand, it's going to cost plenty of money. The society met Monday night for its annual meeting and discussed the fate of the outdoor seating structure, which sits on the exhibition grounds.

Everytime the grandstand came up in the conversation, there seemed to be a sombre tone throughout the group, as if the fate of the grandstand had already been chosen for them, but by the end of the meeting, the fate of the grand old historical structure was still not decided.

"This year, we're facing the fact that our grandstand has probably come to the end of its useful life and will need to be replaced," says current president Don Payak. "The high cost of removing and replacing it will undoubtedly mean that it will not be the landmark of its predecessor."

The Weyburn Exhibition grounds grandstand was built in 1929 at a cost of $13,000. The 72-year-old landmark structure had been spot repaired last year, at a cost of $10,000, but was determined not fit for use by the City of Weyburn right after the fair. Under orders from the city's building inspector Doug Mulhall, the society has until spring to upgrade the current grandstand to a safe level that will last 15 years or remove it from the property.

"It's not condemned, but we can't use it anymore," yelled out a member of the crowd.

All the options were laid out on the table and scrutinized. Disposing of the current grandstand will cost as much as $40,000, repairing the grandstand could cost up to $20,000 and may not last for very long, and the erection of a new structure could cost somewhere between $70,000 and $130,000. One of the better options was to get a collection of eight used portable bleachers from a company in Winnipeg and convert them into a permanent structure which would seat about 1,000.

In the end, the society couldn't make a decision of this magnitude without knowing where the city stands on the matter. The members agreed to a meeting with the mayor and council to discuss the future of the grandstand as soon as possible. City council met on Monday night as well and neither could attend the other's meeting.

"We need to meet with the city right away," said society president-elect Brian Pederson. "Before we can make any decisions, we need to find out where they stand on this and if they're willing to contribute to it."

Dates were announced for some major events, including the Weyburn Rodeo on Aug. 18 and 19, the Weyburn Agricultural Fair on July 1-3, and the Farm, Home and Leisure Show on Apr. 12 and 13.

Both Neal Keefe and Payak gave reports on the Western Canada Fairs 2001 conference, which was held in Saskatoon in October. The conference gave the two a chance to check out some of the attractions that are available and to attend some important operational seminars. Payak said there are three possible choices for entertainment at this year's fair: the West Coast Logging Show, a tiger show or Circus Maximus, a large circus with high wire acts and large animals.

"Negotiations have begun and we should know in the new year which, if any, have been signed," Payak said.

The 2002 executive and board of directors were also elected. The executive members are as follows: Brian Pederson, president; Don Payak, past president; Richard Tollefson, first vice-president; Rick Bell, second vice-president; Sandy Bell, secretary. There is currently an opening for third vice-president.

The directors are: Rick Bell, advertising; Brian Pederson and Neal Keefe, agricultural and commercial; Don Payak, agricultural education and attractions; Alvin Swenson, cattle; Dick Tollefson, 4-H Calf Club; Carol Ellingson, 4-H youth activities; Treva Tollefson and Stuart Neiszner, gates; Ron Metheral and Norm Flaten, historians; Dorlane Morris, home products; Pam Gutzke, household arts; Wendy Neiszner and Roger Clay, horses; Ray Wahl, hospitality; Beryl Tytlandsvik, junior work; Graham McKenzie, midway; Tyler Metheral, parking and policing; Margaret Loos, school work.