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DeSoto Parish jury approves initial funding and design work for covered arena to support 4‑H
Summary
The DeSoto Parish Police Jury authorized initial planning and partial funding for a covered arena intended to complement the parish 4‑H program, reallocating existing parking and pilot program funds and approving an additional allocation to reach a $600,000 startup package for design and early work.
DeSoto Parish Police Jury members voted to authorize planning and partial funding for a covered arena intended to complement the DeSoto 4‑H organization, moving the project toward design and potential construction.
The action directs engineering staff to proceed with drawings and initial contract work and allocates existing and new funds — $175,000 from previously designated parking funds, $100,000 from the ET Gathering Pilot Program and an additional $150,000 from the general fund — to create a $450,000 to $600,000 pool for early work, supporters said. "That bring us to a total of $450,000," Mr. Michael Rister said while summarizing grant awards and prior budgeted items. Rister estimated a bare‑bones arena would cost in the range of $850,000 to fully equip a clear‑span prefabricated structure and foundations.
Why it matters: County officials said a covered arena would expand opportunities for 4‑H clubs and community events, allow hosting of rodeos and horse shows, and create year‑round usable space that was previously limited by heat and open‑air facilities. Supporters cited a $50,000 equine promotion grant already received and a $125,000 state allocation toward the project as seed funding.
Discussion and condition: Jurors debated location, drainage and maintenance responsibilities. Rister and other staff said the jury would retain upkeep of the structure, though private partners might donate fixtures such as bleachers or concession elements. Rister told jurors the equine grant had a year‑end spending deadline and recommended using that money for design or deposit work to preserve eligibility; "If we don't spend that $50,000, it would be very unlikely they'd give us more," he said.
The vote: The jury approved the motion to proceed with design and reallocation of the specified funds and directed staff to come back with more detailed figures at the next meeting. The motion passed on a voice vote.
Next steps: Staff will begin engineering work and return with a more detailed budget and funding plan; jurors said additional grant applications and private contributions would be pursued to close the remaining gap if the full project cost approaches the $850,000 estimate.
