Emily Plihal
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A Smoky River Region radio station has expanded its horizons, now offering sound equipment rental services to interested parties.

Nord-Ouest FM is based out of Falher, and they wanted to ensure they could provide the service to help accommodate the needs of their listeners and people in the community.

“There are many organizations in our area and community members that organize local events and need equipment such as ours,” explains Nord-Ouest FM assistant manager Justine Sanchez.

“We also know many local artists and musicians benefit from our sound equipment during their performances. It is empowering to give them the right set up to perform exactly the way they would have imagined.”

Sanchez explains that having the equipment rental service also allows the non-profit radio station to generate more income to help function.

“These past few years, we have solely relied on ad revenue, external funding and grants,” she says.

“Ad revenue only goes so far, and the external funding and grants that we receive only cover the projects for which they were intended.”

Sanchez notes when community members rent equipment from the radio station, they are supporting the endeavours of the station, including producing interesting shows, organizing community activities, learning activities and allowing the station to participate in community events.

Equipment available includes sub woofers, speakers and stackable speakers, eight or 12 channel mixers, direct boxes, cordless microphones, regular microphones, headsets, stage lighting, a projector screen, and many other items which can be itemized by calling their sound technician, Randy.

Prices of rental will be dependent of the type of event being hosted and the equipment required.

“Before writing a quote, we need to know the location of your event, the place where it will be held, the number of guests that will be attending, your sound goals,” Sanchez says.

“We encourage people to check out our website and our tech service page. On that page, there is a link to access a booking form which can be filled out and later assessed by our sound technician.”

Sanchez says the crew is willing to travel anywhere within the region, noting that the equipment has travelled as far as Fairview. Events catered to include outdoor and indoor weddings, community festivals, concerts, conferences, and any others not listed.

“Randy is our sound technician, here at Nord-Ouest FM and he can oversee everything from drawing up a quote, delivering the rented equipment, and installing it in the chosen location,” she says.

“He will also do the sound check, provide the sound during the event, run the playlists, take down the equipment at the end of the event and bring it back to our storage area.”

Sanchez says customers can choose any level of rental services they require by talking to Randy about their event and the level of service they want. All levels from just equipment rental, all the way to deejay or sound services can be accommodated by the radio station.

“There are a lot of events that take place in the Peace Country from graduations to weddings, conferences, festivals, concerts, family reunions,” Sanchez says.

“All of these events require some type of sound equipment and now people don’t have to go all the way to Grande Prairie to have access to that service. It also contributes to the future of the community radio station, which plays a very important role in the community by organizing workshops, training opportunities, concerts, events, and by sharing local news, producing news reports, organizing the radio bingo, and giving anyone a space to express themselves.”

If you would like to rent the equipment, please phone the station at (780) 837-2346.