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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Another Ex-cellent turnout
Festival revenue, attendance strong
John Woods / Winnipeg Free Press A warm, sunny day made for a packed midway at the Red River Ex yesterday. (WINNIPEG FREE PRESS) Photo Store
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John Woods / Winnipeg Free Press Brock Masserey, 5, watches Doo Doo Doodles the clown at The Ex. (WINNIPEG FREE PRESS) Photo Store
John Woods / Winnipeg Free Press Amusement riders hold on tight on the Crazy Mouse at the Red River Ex yesterday. Despite poor weather, festival revenues are only off slightly from last year, while attendance numbers are due today. (WINNIPEG FREE PRESS) Photo Store
Sunshine and a large crowd made for a perfect ending to this year's Red River Ex.
"We had 4,200 people go through the gates (Sunday) morning (at 10:30 a.m.) for our pancake breakfast and people have been coming all day," Ex CEO Garth Rogerson said.
Rogerson said Sunday's crowd will determine if the Ex can match the record-setting revenues established last year -- though he cautioned that five days of rain after a strong opening day may keep overall attendance down.
The last four days of the Ex saw large crowds that kept revenues only six per cent off last year's mark. "With all the rain, it's amazing that we're still that close on revenues," Rogerson said.
Final attendance numbers are expected to be available later today.
There was more than rain to give Ex organizers a headache this year. Construction on the Perimeter contributed to long delays accessing the park, Rogerson said.
"I was told on Saturday traffic was backed up on Portage all the way to Moray," Rogerson said. "Just imagine how many people decided to turn around. Our attendance might have been better."
Traffic problems didn't keep Brian Masserey and his five-year-old son Brock away for the final day.
"We were here when the gates opened," Masserey said. "I used to come when I was a kid and I wanted to bring my own to see what it's like."
Eleojo Audu, 5, and his cousin Itopa Momoh, 6, arrived in the middle of the afternoon, planning to keep their aunt, Christi-Anna Durodola, busy late into the night.
"I want some toys and rides," Eleojo said, as he continued to bounce up and down after a thrilling ride on the Crazy Mouse rollercoaster.
"I want to go on the flying saucer," Itopa piped in.
"I think it's going to be an afternoon of rides, toys, and cotton-candy," Durodola said.
Rogerson is juggling several plates: keeping the annual fair attractive, an ambitious major redevelopment of the site, and all the headaches that go along with those projects.
"We know we can do it, it's making us nervous, we just want to make sure we don't go bankrupt doing it," Rogerson said.
Community consultations on the development plans are expected to begin in September, with construction set to start in the New Year.
The province will close the Perimeter access to the site next year, but Rogerson said the Ex will have a second entrance off Portage Avenue by then, opposite Camp Manitou Road.
There are also plans to provide alternative means of access to the site, including a pedestrian/bike overpass over the Perimeter, that the Ex will built at its own expense.
Rogerson said he is also trying to secure a park-n-ride location to reduce traffic congestion.
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition June 25, 2012 B2
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