DODGE CITY, Kan. – When members of the Dodge City Roundup Rodeo committee reached out, the city of Dodge City answered in a big way.
“The committee wanted to upgrade the main grandstands at the arena, and we felt that it was probably in our best interest as a community to help with the safety and longevity of the facility,” City Manager Nick Hernandez said. “We’ve been partnered with Roundup for decades in helping with funding for different projects, and this project – given the magnitude of it – was something that took us looking at a different approach given the size and being outside the normal budget that we work with.
“With discussions, we looked at different client opportunities and made available a cost-share with Roundup and help them finalize their efforts.”
The updated, aluminum bleachers across the main grandstands on the west side of the arena are now in place and are ready for this year’s Dodge City Roundup Rodeo, set for 7:45 p.m. Wednesday, July 31-Sunday, Aug. 4, at Roundup Arena; Dodge City Xtreme Bulls is set for 7:45 p.m. Tuesday, July 30.
“A loan from a local bank got the project started, then we received a grant for $60,000 from the city and another level of matching funds have helped us finance the bleachers,” said Teresa Winger, secretary for the Roundup committee. “We have received a little over $44,000 in matching funds so far.”
The original facilities at Roundup Arena were built nearly 50 years ago, but local organizers have done some major upgrades over the last few years to not only enhance the overall use of the complex but to make it safer. There are thousands of visitors who attend the annual rodeo, and the safety measures not only help make it a better experience for them but also for the contestants and their livestock partners.
Each year, hundreds of contestants converge on Ford County to compete for big money and to win one of the most prestigious rodeos in North America. Dodge City’s rodeo has been recognized as one of the best over the years, being named the Rodeo of the Year nine times; it also has been inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame.
“I think Roundup Rodeo is pretty integral to the success of Dodge City and has long been a staple of our Dodge City Days,” Hernandez said of the annual community celebration. “The rodeo just brings somebody different to town. There are so many people from all across the United States – and across the world in some occasions – to participate and also view a world-class rodeo here in Dodge City.”
Keeping the arena as a top-notch facility is also important, not just to the rodeo organizers but to members of the community as well.
“I think they’re continually making improvements to the facility, and this just shows the commitment that the community and the city has for the rodeo and for Roundup Arena,” he said. “I think it shows that we anticipate this facility being around for a long time.”