$3M donation gives Spanish Fork rodeo arena a lift

(sltrib.com 8-30-11)

Replacing the grandstand at the Spanish Fork Fairgrounds rodeo arena has been on this Utah County city's to-do list for years, with little sign of getting to the top.

"With the downturn in the economy, we weren't able to do [the project], said Mayor G. Wayne Andersen.

But a resident's $3-million donation has catapulted the project to the top of the list, Andersen said. Spanish Fork is in the process of soliciting bids for contractors to remove the aging wood-and-steel stands and replace them with a new structure, which will seat 2,000 more people in the Lance Money Arena.

The benefactor attached two strings to the gift: He had to remain anonymous and the project has to be done in time for next year's Fiesta Days rodeo, an event sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association.

"One of the conditions was he wanted to be sitting in his new box at the rodeo next year," Andersen said. The only clue the mayor would give to the benefactor's identity is that he is a Spanish Fork resident who loves rodeo.

Councilman Richard M. Davis said the benefactor made the contribution shortly after this year's Fiesta Days in late July.

"He's an honorable citizen of Spanish Fork," Davis said.

Andersen said the money will go toward replacing the 6,500-seat grandstand, while Utah County — whose fair takes place at the Spanish Fork facility — will kick in funds for new restrooms and a concession stand. The grandstand was built in 1945, with two additions in the past 25 years. Andersen said the structure is starting to show its age, and audiences find the seating cramped. The new arena will seat 8,500, Andersen said. The city has consulted with livestock show and rodeo professionals on what improvements should be made in a new arena.

"They said, 'You guys have the best arena in the country, and keep it so the crowd is on top of the action,' " Andersen recalled.

Utah County Commissioner Larry Ellertson, whose oversight includes the Utah County Fair, lauded the donation.

"Apparently these people have the resources," he said, "and want to invest them in the community."

Ellertson said the donation will benefit not just Spanish Fork, but all of Utah County. The county and the city have agreed to share costs at the fairgrounds and use the facility as an equestrian center, as well as home to the county fair. Ellertson said the county will have to find a way to pay for the restroom and concession-stand improvements. He said the county may have to borrow money, with the goal of paying it off quickly. The arena houses livestock shows and rodeos, a well as the city's annual Fiesta Days rodeo in July. In 2010, the rodeo became an official stop for the PRCA's Wrangler Million Dollar Silver Tour.

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