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Gila County explores reconfiguring fairgrounds to boost rodeo and events capacity
Summary
County staff presented conceptual plans to relocate a mobile arena, add livestock stalls, fresh sand for arenas, shade structures, and expanded RV/dry‑camping and vendor areas at the Gila County Fairgrounds; staff will seek grants and stakeholder input and return with prioritized costs.
At a work session the board reviewed conceptual changes to the Gila County Fairgrounds intended to support rodeos, the annual fair and other large events. Joseph (public works/facilities staff) presented stakeholder feedback and multiple concept images showing: relocating the mobile arena to optimize participant staging and separate animal and vehicular circulation; reconfiguring parking and vendor spaces; fresh sand and maintenance equipment for the two arenas; shaded spectator areas; and additional covered stalls and 4‑H space.
Managers discussed tradeoffs between demolishing older permanent stalls and using portable stalls or phased demolition to preserve capacity during the fair. County Manager Menlove suggested the county consider LATCF funding and estimated an arena reorientation and dirt replacement could require an up‑front investment on the order of a quarter million dollars; staff said grant searches and prioritized scoping would follow.
Supervisors generally expressed support for prioritizing arena reorientation to host the 2026 high school rodeo finals and other events but emphasized the need to identify available grants and phase work to avoid leaving the fairgrounds short of usable stalls or parking during peak seasons. Joseph said staff will schedule stakeholder meetings, refine cost estimates and pursue grant opportunities, then return with a prioritized plan.
