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McNeese representatives request permission to negotiate for rodeo arena on parish land
Summary
McNeese Rodeo representatives asked the jury for approval to pursue a lease or CEA for about 80 acres near the Parish Barn to build a multiuse rodeo arena; jurors agreed to host follow-up meetings and to place the item on a future voting agenda as an add-on.
Justin Browning (McNeese rodeo coach) and Seth Gidrick (Grand Lake justice of the peace) presented a proposal to build a McNeese Rodeo Arena on roughly 80 acres near the Parish Barn and asked the jury to place the item on a voting agenda or to authorize negotiations. They said donors are ready to fund construction, McNeese would operate the facility via its foundation, and the facility would serve training and smaller public events while potentially generating local economic activity and educational opportunities for 4‑H and FFA programs.
Jurors raised standard concerns about public benefit, youth access, security and lease/CEA terms. Presenters said the facility would include a training arena, meeting rooms, limited spectator seating (approximately 1,000), and ancillary space for stalls and overflow; McNeese would run the facility and pursue fundraising through its foundation. The jury agreed in principle and added a motion of intent to negotiate in good faith and to schedule a follow-up committee meeting to examine lease terms and site footprint without committing parish funds at this stage.
Next steps: Staff to coordinate a follow-up meeting with proposers and parish counsel to draft a potential CEA/lease framework.
