The Morris fairgrounds are able to make some major improvements thanks to a $36,000 grant from the Co-op Community Spaces Program.

The fairgrounds host three major events every summer, the Manitoba Stampede and Exhibition, Rockin' Horse Music Festival and Rumble in the Valley Truck & Tractor Pull.

James Buhler, Fair Director of the Valley Agricultural Society, said they were crossing their fingers, hoping their application would get accepted.

"We've got 40 acres and it takes a lot to keep it up, we have approximately 200 volunteers that spend a lot of time trying to keep the place beautiful," said Buhler.

The grounds have five barns for livestock which will be the focus of the upgrades.

Other facility upgrades include plumbing and electrical in the barns to meet specific codes, adding shower amenities, and building a new stage for future events. The indigenous grounds are also being extended, as well as the green space throughout the property.

"There's so many different aspects, such as the new stage, which helps us to open up other avenues to the community at large. We are the Manitoba Stampede, so it's not just the town or municipality of Morris that we entertain, it's all of Manitoba," said Buhler.

Brad Iverson, General Manager of Sun Valley Co-op, said Co-op Community Spaces program was developed to help, protect, and improve spaces across Western Canada.

"One of the reasons the Valley Ag Society was selected, was due to the project they were doing," he noted. "It was felt that there's quite a few events that are held at this location throughout the year, and it's a key meeting place for people and our members that basically use, live, and play in that area."

This year, 24 organizations will receive a total $2 million for their community projects. Since 2015, Co-op Community Spaces has donated $6.5 million to 88 projects.

Currently, volunteers with the Manitoba Valley Ag Society are working hard to get the grounds ready for the 2018 Manitoba Stampede Exhibition, which begins July 19.