Community Rallies Behind Westerner Days with Major Contribution to Chuckwagon Track Improvements
April 17, 2025
April 17, 2025 | Red Deer, Alberta
As the thunder of hooves prepares to return to Westerner Park this summer, the groundwork—quite literally—is being laid thanks to a team of community-minded partners.
With preparations in full swing for Westerner Days 2025, one of the most iconic events—the North American Pony Chuckwagon and Chariot Races—needed a bit of help. Specifically, Westerner Park was in need of fresh sand to revitalize the complete track, ensuring a safer and more competitive surface for both horses and drivers.
McWilliam Corporation offered a generous donation of premium sand, freshly excavated from a nearby build site. Marshall Construction Company. then mobilized its crew and equipment to haul the material to Westerner Park. To complete the effort, Board Director Jeremy Moore contributed his own time and machinery to help grade the new surface—rounding out a grassroots collaboration that reflects the best of Red Deer’s spirit.
“This contribution is a game changer for us,” said Dave Harvey, Westerner Exposition Board Director and Emergency Response Coordinator for the Pony Chuckwagon and Chariot Races. “The quality of this material is exactly what we needed to bring our track back to life. It’s going to make a noticeable difference for our racers this summer—improving performance and, more importantly, safety. We’re incredibly grateful to our partners who made this possible.”
So far, 91 large truckloads have been delivered to Westerner Park—moving approximately 2,380 cubic yards of material, weighing in at around 3,094 metric tonnes. For perspective, that’s the equivalent of more than 400 full-sized pickup trucks worth of dirt. And we’re not done yet, the final total is expected to reach between 5,000 and 6,000 metric tonnes. The material will be used to fully rejuvenate the track surface ahead of this year’s races, promising smoother rides, faster heats for both horses and drivers.
For Jim Marshall, Owner and President of Marshall Construction, stepping in to help wasn’t just about logistics—it was about community pride.
“We’re proud to roll up our sleeves and help out where we can,” said Marshall. “Being a sponsor of the North American Pony Chuckwagon and Chariot Races, it just makes sense. This event is part of the spirit of our community, and knowing that Marshall Construction is helping to make it even better this year—that’s something we take pride in.”
ABOUT WESTERNER PARK
Westerner Park is Central Alberta’s largest tradeshow, agricultural, sports, entertainment, and convention facility. A not-for-profit organization and agricultural society, Westerner Park typically generates $150 million annually in economic activity, hosting over 1,000 events and 1.5 million visitors each year.