Rodeo still trying to lasso renovation money

SPRINGDALE -- Parsons Stadium will look pretty much the same when the Rodeo of the Ozarks kicks off its 73rd annual event Wednesday night.

That's because rodeo officials have yet to find funding for a plan that would create a major overhaul to the stadium.

"We're still about where we were last year. We had some things fall through, a couple setbacks on funding," said Rick Culver, executive director of the rodeo and a member of the City Council. "[But] we're still pulling ahead with the fundraising. We're still on track."

More than 400 competitors are expected to compete this week -- a busy time on the PRCA circuit.

"People don't realize we're one of the top five large outdoor rodeos in the United States," said Steve Smith, a member of the Springdale Benevolent Foundation.

The Benevolent Foundation, which owns the rodeo and the rodeo grounds, hopes to raise more than $15 million for renovations grouped into four phases. Each phase has a specific dollar amount to complete, Culver said.

"A wishful start date is as soon as possible, but we will not start until we have enough money to do the phases. It will not start until we have the funds to start, and that will depend on fundraising," Culver said.

Planned phases

Small improvements and repairs are continuously being done to the stadium, Smith said.

Tex Holt, Benevolent Foundation president, said the foundation has courted major companies and corporations in Northwest Arkansas to help fund renovations.

"We've talked to all of them and they know what we're trying to do," Holt said. "We feel like we're gaining on it. It's just going to take some time."

There is an ongoing conversation with a potentially major funding source, Culver said.

The first and second phases would feature improvements to the main drive, utilities upgrades, drainage improvements, paving the east, west and north parking lots and new concessions, restroom and ticketing area on the east and west sides. Those phases combined will cost an estimated $4.5 million.

The third phase involves putting a roof over the stadium, Culver said.

"When we get the roof on it, we can do so many other things," he said. "If potential promoters find out [the stadium] is not covered, they get nervous because they become afraid of a rainout. We can have so many more events here if we have a covered arena."

Parsons Stadium hosts a variety of events and attractions across the year, but rain and snow limit the number of events.

"Let's say you're going to have a concert and it rains; nobody wants to get wet," Smith said. "Once you put a roof on the arena, the number of events you can put in the arena explode."

Adding a roof is grouped in with demolishing the east bleachers, building a new east grandstand and relocating the bucking chutes. The phase is estimated at $3 million.

The stadium's west side received new metal bleachers and a roof in 1995. That project cost about $945,000, Holt said.

"We're extremely proud of the west side. We want to get the east side as nice as the west side," he said.

Maintenance work and upgrades are done on the stadium at Kay Rodgers Park in Fort Smith every year to ensure safe conditions for contestants and livestock, Cindy Arnold said. She works in accounts receivable at the park where the Old Fort Days Rodeo is held each year.

The stadium at Kay Rodgers has a roof. The lack of a roof at Parsons means stadium personnel would have to keep the ground well-maintained to ensure there are no hazards for those who perform, Arnold said.

The fourth phase is not a priority and is not part of the immediate plan, Culver said. That phase was to include a 30,000-square-foot facility on the north end that will include offices, club-level entertainment museum, meeting hall, dining hall and kitchen. It would cost an estimated $7.6 million.

"That would be a lot of money," Culver said. "If one of these days we want to add to that area we can, but that would be way later down the road."

Lots of competition

Attracting spectators is another reason why rodeo venues should be continually updated, Arnold said.

The Springdale rodeo generated $238,448 in ticket sales last year, down from $270,000 in 2015 and $280,000 in 2014. The drop was caused by the rodeo dates being moved from Fourth of July weekend to late June in an attempt to not lose the top riders to Cowboy Christmas, Culver said.

Cowboy Christmas consists of rodeos held primarily in Western states such as California and Colorado, that starts at the beginning of July and lasts through the Fourth of July week.

There are three other PRCA rodeos that start Wednesday -- the Crystal Springs Rodeo Xtreme Bulls in Clear Lake, S.D., West of the Pecos Rodeo in Pecos, Texas, and Rodeo de Santa Fe in Santa Fe, N.M. Twenty-five other rodeos kick off Thursday through Saturday, according to the PRCA website.

Tyler Waguespack, the PRCA's 2016 steer wrestling world champion, said his father Mike Waguespack, also a steer wrestler, brought him to the Rodeo of the Ozarks when he was a kid.

"My dad won that rodeo when I was a little boy, so it's a special rodeo for us. It's for sure one of my dad's favorites; each year he's wanting to know if we'll make it there," Waguespack said.

Waguespack, a native of Gonzales, La., will compete in Springdale this year, but couldn't in recent years.

"It's a little earlier this year than it normally is so it works out excellent for us," Waguespack said. "Out west during Cowboy Christmas, it's hard for [riders] to go out to Springdale."

Waguespack is a doesn't mind if a stadium lacks a roof and other upgrades.

"I prefer the outdoor rodeos because that's how they used to do it back in the day," he said. "I like all the rodeos that have all those old traditions."

Shane Hanchey of Sulphur, La., won the 2013 tie-down world championship and will compete at Parsons Stadium. Hanchey prefers a venue with a roof, but the lack of a roof is not a deal breaker.

"You don't want to compete in the mud if you can help it," Hanchey said. "We go to so many rodeos a year we can't really factor in the venue. The money is more important than the venue."

Tradition seeks improvement

Alderman Rick Evans said he has gone to Parsons Stadium since he was a kid and said it is overdue for significant improvements.

"It's one of the longest running and standing organizations and events in the city," Evans said. "I'd love to see it have improvements to help it grow."

Mayor Doug Sprouse said the rodeo is annual tradition that the city and local rodeo fans look forward to each summer.

"We have been working with the rodeo for a couple of years as they make plans to renovate their stadium and further expand their services in Springdale," Sprouse said. "With the support of the community who loves and values the rodeo and its many contributions, I'm confident they will be able to meet their fundraising goals."

The state might be able to contribute money toward the renovations, Holt said.

"The governor knows what we're trying to do, and he's hoping maybe next year there's some state funds that can help," he said. "Then we can go back to corporations and say the state is willing to match funds."

J.R. Davis, a spokesman for Gov. Asa Hutchinson, said Hutchinson is aware of the improvements needed at Parsons Stadium.

"The governor has had a lot of conversations about a lot of needs, and yes, Parsons Stadium is one of them," Davis said. "At this time, there's been no submission to the Legislature for discretionary funds for Parsons Stadium."

Smith is hopeful.

"We've struggled a little, but I think we keep making progress and moving forward," Smith said. "We're talking about a $10-12 million project, so it doesn't happen overnight."

NW News on 06/19/2017