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Council discusses moving rodeo to equestrian center; raises seating, safety and funding questions
Summary
Council members and staff discussed a proposal to move the city rodeo to the Cleon Peterson Equinox equestrian center, focusing on seating capacity, safety concerns at the current arena, and budget implications for new bleachers.
Mount Pleasant city leaders spent an extended portion of the Sept. 30 meeting discussing a possible move of the city’s rodeo (referred to in the transcript as the Monopoly Royal Arena / Rodeo Arena) to the Cleon Peterson Equinox equestrian center.
Why it matters: The proposal would change where the city hosts major rodeo events and requires decisions about seating capacity, capital spending and event logistics. Council members said the relocation could address safety and space concerns at the existing site.
Key points from the discussion: - Seating and costs: Staff and a facilities presenter (identified in the transcript as “Jack”) said the new site could be equipped with about 1,000 permanent seats and another 600–700 portable seats initially. The council has budgeted $200,000 for 1,000 permanent seats in the development budget. During the budget discussion, staff reported prior spending of $374,000 on the project and an additional contingency and lease allowances that bring a reported total to roughly $574,000 (staff’s spoken accounting included a $26,000 contingency line). Council members discussed whether to buy more seats immediately, lease additional portable units temporarily, or attempt to salvage seats from the existing arena.
- Safety and operations: Multiple speakers described the current arena as constrained and potentially hazardous, with narrow access for large trailers and animal handling near spectator areas. The council and event staff described past incidents of congestion and expressed concern for participant and spectator safety in the older facility.
- Timeline and events: The council noted a high school rodeo scheduled for Oct. 16; presenters said the new seating likely would not be ready for that event but could be in place by the end of the construction/install schedule (statements indicated an expectation seats would be installed after October). A proposed groundbreaking and ceremonial event was discussed for Oct. 4 for memorial facility improvements elsewhere; council members also proposed touring both the existing and the proposed new site before making a final relocation decision.
- Salvage and logistics: Staff said some existing bleacher sections might be salvageable and movable, but moving large sections would involve transport costs and structural uncertainty. Speakers suggested a staged approach: install 1,000 new permanent seats, add portable seating (about 800 in discussion), and lease further units temporarily while assessing longer-term purchases.
Council direction: The council did not take a final vote to relocate the rodeo during the meeting. Members agreed to schedule a site tour/work session to inspect the current arena and the equestrian center together before making a formal decision. Several council members expressed willingness to host and support the event if the logistics can be resolved.
Next steps: Staff and council agreed to arrange an on-site tour and a possible special meeting or work session to clarify costs, salvage possibilities, and installation timelines. Any material budget changes or formal relocation decision would return to the council for formal action.
