By Robb Fenton

Bodybuilding in Lloydminster will be front in centre in less than 12 months.
Lloydminster was recently awarded the 2011 Saskatchewan Amateur Bodybuilding Association Provincial Championship and has organizers, participants and fans all buzzing about what is expected to be a great show.
Local organizer Rene Weinkauf said this is a huge step up from the event they hosted about a year ago.
“This is a real big one. The other one (in 2009) was just a starter show we did a few years ago. Once they (SABBA) realized we had that and pulled that off really well, we were nominated for the provincial event which is pretty huge,” he said. “It’s a big step up and we’re pretty proud to have provincials here in Lloyd. We’re kind of a smaller community, so it’s big.”
Members of SABBA meet regularly and as is the case every year, provincials was the topic and where to host it was the question.
Lloydminster’s bid was voted the best and the show was awarded for May 2011 in the Border City.
“The committee has to vote on where they think they should have it and we won a unanimous vote from all the members so we were awarded the show,” Weinkauf explained.
While the last event, which drew a good number of competitors as well as strong reviews was a success, Weinkauf admitted it’s a feather in the cap of Lloydminster and the bodybuilders in the area to be awarded a provincial event.
“Last time was a little easier because not a lot of places want that smaller show, but when it comes to provincials, everyone wants it because you have a bit of a higher quality of bodybuilders,” he said. “Once you get to that next level, the provincials, you have the higher end guys, those are the guys that are coming to town. We’ll have higher quality athletes.”
Now that Lloydminster has won the right to host the provincial competition, it’s up to the organizing committee to make sure the event goes off without a hitch and continues to grow the sport in the area.
“We’re sending out the message, getting everyone in the know that it’s happening. We’re now looking for guys and girls to help out. Just some stuff backstage, all the little stuff we need,” Weinkauf said of the next steps that will be taken. “Also, we’re trying to get some sponsors, get some help so we can make the prizes, trophies as good as they can be for the competitors.”
Community support is always big in sports and in general, and for an event like this it’s no different.
Having business, community members and the city in general step up and support this event will be a big boost.
“We’re looking for sponsors that will back us up and be proud we got something like this in Lloyd,” Weinkauf said.
Not only is hosting this event big for the sport in the area and the recognition it will give Lloyd in the bodybuilding world, but more importantly the local competitors will get a chance to strut their stuff in front of their friends, families and their hometown who may not normally get to see them at competitions.
“This is huge. All the local guys that can compete, are competing. Everyone is so gung-ho because this is their chance to show. We’ll never have a national show here, I don’t think. This is the highest level we’ll have in Lloyd and it’s happening for these guys and girls,” Weinkauf said with excitement. “We have a couple of girls and about five guys that should be in the show. It’s huge for our locals, everyone is psyched.”