Marion Parks & Rec considering covered horse, rodeo arena

Marion Parks & Rec considering covered horse, rodeo arena

Success of Esperanza Bonzanza events spurs discussion

news@theeveningtimes.com

Marion Parks and Recreation Committee is open to the idea of building a covered rodeo arena in the city at the sports complex Parks and Recreation Director Andy Rawls said Mayor Frank Fogleman recently met with Andy and Joanie Taylor about the possibility of moving forward on building an arena to host more rodeo events in Marion.

The Taylor’s are active rodeo boosters and are the organizers of the annual rodeo event held in Marion as part of Esperanza Bonanza.

Rawls said he thinks it is an idea worth exploring.

“I think there is merit to it because it is something that won’t just be used by Esperanza Bonanza,” Rawls said. “It could be used for horse show season and however long the rodeo season is.”

Fogleman said the idea of building a rodeo arena has been talked about for years and now might be a good time to gather more information.

“I think there is some value to doing this,” Fogleman said. “I think it has gotten to the point where it is time to take a deeper look into it and to consider putting some money in to it.”

The rodeo has grown to a two day event at Esperanza Bonanza and regularly draws about 2,000 spectators.

The event attracts champions, ex-champions, and some of the top rodeo competitors on the circuit.

Similar events in Jonesboro, Wynne, Brinkley, West Memphis and in neighboring Mississippi also draw big crowds.

Past discussions have put the cost of building a covered arena at $300,000.

Fogleman said he made a comment to the Taylors that he would want to go ahead and build a Taj Mahal with all the bells and whistles if they were to go ahead and build one in Marion to make it a top draw, but was told that rodeo performers prefer something simpler.

“He (Andy Taylor) said rodeo people really don’t care for a Taj Mahal or whatever concept that brings to mind,” Fogleman said. “He said you need a permanent fence. You need some stands. You need some cover.”

Fogleman said parking would be the biggest issue. The sports complex lacks paved parking where the rodeo is held and the area frequently gets bogged down in mud.

However, Fogleman said the parking lot could be rock and would not necessarily need to be paved.

“It doesn’t have to be asphalt to suit them,” Fogleman

said.

Fogleman told the committee that he will get more information about the cost, attendance estimates, potential uses, and upkeep costs.

“We are just planting the seed right now,” Fogleman said. “That’s part of what we are going to dig in to so we can gain some more insight.”

The arena could be built using money raised by Esperanza Bonanza, grants, Advertising and Promotions (A& P) tax money, city money, or a combination of all of those sources.

“Then we can advocate either with the city council or A& P or both to see what kind of money can be put together to build such a facility,” Fogleman said.

Parks and Recreation Committee member John Traugh said he believes the arena would be well used.

“Rodeos are pretty well attended,” Traugh said. “And it is ground that isn’t going to be used any other way. If that could come to pass it has got to be a plus to go down that road.”

Councilman Cliff Wood agreed.

“I think it could be good,” Wood said. “We just need to gather more information on the money.”

By Mark Randall