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Council refers Brewer Arena replacement plan to Parks & Recreation after stables raise safety and process concerns
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Summary
Council voted to send the proposed Brewer Arena improvements back to the Parks and Recreation Board for further coordination with stable owners and staff after stable owners criticized project communication, the proposed concrete ADA route and grandstand size.
County staff presented a plan for Brewer Arena improvements on Oct. 7 that includes new bleachers, ADA parking and an accessible route, renovated restrooms and a new crow’s‑nest announcer structure; council unanimously voted to refer the proposal to the Parks and Recreation Board for additional review and stakeholder coordination.
Staff summary and background: Community Services and Public Works staff said the existing bleacher structure was declared unsafe in 2024 and county staff then removed the structure and set temporary seating for this year’s events. The staff presentation said the project scope includes replacement bleachers, accessible parking and a reinforced, code‑compliant accessible route from parking to the seating area, renovated plumbed restrooms, and later-phase work to add an announcer catwalk and crow’s‑nest to separate announcer access from livestock movement. Staff said the county previously pursued a DFA grant for design work and that the immediate project requires construction contracts to be in place to ensure seating is ready for future rodeo events. The staff packet listed a proposed task order to Alrite Construction for $1,934,399.74 and a total project budget of $2,710,000.
Public concerns and equestrian input: Stable owners and the Equine and Livestock Working Group urged the council to slow the process and seek more stakeholder engagement. Lisa Reeder, representing the Stable Owners Association, told council she felt outreach had been insufficient and urged alternative, lower‑impact options: smaller towable grandstands (she cited a 160‑seat towable unit priced around $30,000), portable ADA walkway mats (examples cited: Moby Mat), and accessible vault toilets rather than plumbed restrooms to reduce maintenance and winter freeze costs. Several equestrian speakers said a permanent concrete route where horses frequently walk could be dangerous in icy conditions and that roughened concrete does not address the vibration and give concerns riders raised. “Concrete is just not the material,” one stable owner said.
Council action: Councilor Hahn moved to send the Brewer Arena project back to the Parks and Recreation Board for additional coordination with the stable owners and county staff; Council unanimously approved the referral (6–0; Councilor Havaman absent). Staff said removing the one segment of concrete from the design and returning with alternative surface options would be feasible, and public works staff estimated a design change and updated contractor quote could take several weeks to a couple of months.
Ending: Council’s referral asks Parks & Recreation and staff to return with a recommendation following further outreach and design consideration; no construction contract was approved Oct. 7.
