Ed Dorosz was a valued community member
Reprinted from The Oyen Echo August 22, 2000
A Man with a Vision
For several years after the departure of Dr. Kerkamp, Oyen and District was without veterinary services. In an attempt to secure funding from the government to provide this service Pete Weins of the Oyen and District Chamber of Commerce conducted a survey along with a group of assistants. This survey established the number of livestock and owners in the area. In September of 1973, Dr. Dorosz of Regina visited Oyen. The survey conducted the summer before Ed’s arrival was a great help in his decision to set up his practice.
Ed Dorosz
Ed Dorosz and his family came to Oyen in October, 1973. For a time he kept his medications in his mobile home and answered the calls for all the rural area. Ed purchased land from Marshall Mehl shortly after his arrival and made plans to move his clinic to this site, west of the Mehl homestead. In 1976, the family left the trailer park to move onto the acreage.
The Doroszes became very involved in the community. Sandra helped with the fair assisting Gertie Kuzmiski in the handicraft section. Dr. Dorosz became a director in 1975, and was third president of the Big Country Agricultural Society in 1979 and 1980.
Ed was very concerned about the development of the community. Here is a letter he wrote to town council.
November 21, 1978
Dear Sirs,
We of the Big Country Agricultural Society are looking into the possibility of building and maintaining a building to facilitate agricultural and recreational activities.
We are asking for land for such a complex on, in particular the several acres of land north of the tracks that used to be the Oyen sports grounds.
We feel this particular parcel would greatly suit our needs.
Such a complex would be used for a multiple of purposes, such as livestock shows and sales, horse shows and sales, rodeos, 4-H shows and sales, auctions, entertainment such as live concerts, and facilities for our fair.
We believe such a complex situated on that particular parcel would greatly enhance your town, and we await your reply.
Sincerely,
Ed Dorosz,
Pres., Big Country Ag. Society
His request was not granted but there was a compromise.
In 1979, the society hired a masters student in Agricultural Economics from the University of Alberta who was hired to prepare an analysis of the amount of gross revenue from gas, oil and agriculture produced in the Special areas and M.D. of Acadia. These figures were used in obtaining grants.
In the 1980 fair book, President Dorosz wrote, ”We were fortunate to be accepted for several 75th anniversary grants with which we plan to establish a permanent fair ground out at the RCMP Centennial Park. At this time, we hope to have outside pens and an outdoor arena for our many livestock displays and 4-H. Hopefully, the arena can be utilized not only for livestock displays, but other things such as soccer, football, and perhaps an outdoor rink for hockey and skating.”
The Big Country Agricultural Society hoped this would be the beginning of an agricultural building and grounds.
Ed left Oyen in 1982. He died suddenly August 13, 2000 in the Foothills Hospital, Calgary.
Ed’s vision of an agriplex has not yet become a reality.