The Gilbert Rodeo Park is officially entering its final months as a venue.
The non-profit organization that operates the Rodeo Park has indicated that there will be no events there after the lease between Gilbert and Maricopa County expires on Feb. 15.
"Remaining at Gilbert Rodeo Park past Feb. 15 is not a possibility," said Chelle Bullard, president of the Gilbert Promotional Corporation.
Events had been booked at the Rodeo Park through May 1, which leaves organizations scrambling to reschedule. Bullard said the GPC is helping clients find new venues or move to a date before Feb. 15.
The Queen Creek Junior Rodeo Association had events scheduled in Gilbert in January, February and March, but moved them to a facility in Florence.
"We had to make other plans," said Sterling Udall, QCJRA president. "We had to make that decision quickly, so no one is left in the dark. It was kind of a hassle to schedule things around other organizations, but we survived."
Bullard said she is hopeful that the county - which had leased the former landfill site to Gilbert since 1982 - will allow the GPC time to remove the arena, stables and other structures from the facility beginning on Feb. 13. The moving process could take weeks.
County spokeswoman Cari Gerchick said she does not anticipate the moving time being an issue. She added that the county will regrade the land at the 47-acre facility located at 1777 S. Val Vista Drive, but currently has no development plans for it.
Citing necessary water-retention remediation costs of as much as $4 million, Gilbert opted not to renew the lease.
Earlier this week, the GPC met with county officials in hopes of saving events through May 1.
"My understanding is that the decision did not stem from an agreement issue (with the county)," Gerchick said. "I think the (GPC) decided they just wanted to move forward and concentrate on finding a permanent location."
Bullard said that the GPC will continue to speak to such venues as the Horseshoe Park & Equestrian Centre and Marley Farms, both in Queen Creek, regarding a temporary venue for events - including, if necessary, the annual Gilbert Days Rodeo. In terms of a permanent site, "our needs are not yet fully defined," Bullard said.
"We need to evaluate storage of equipment, renovation of existing facilities to meet our needs, location, logistics," Bullard said. "We need to have everything make sense."
A farewell rodeo event will likely be scheduled at the park in February.
"I'm sad to see it go, although I understand why," Udall said. "Hopefully, they will find another spot for the Rodeo Park. I've competed at Gilbert Days, and my kids have. It's something that goes back generations.
"Gilbert is a rodeo town. That's what we do."
cjmnews posted at 8:29 am on Mon, Dec 13, 2010.
Wow progress in Gilbert! That was unexpected. I would have though this water tower loving town would pony up the cash to keep their rodeo park.
Hopefully the county will do something nice with it.
ohhorsefeathers posted at 10:28 pm on Fri, Dec 10, 2010.
Don't Give up - If Gilbert Days, the parade, rodeo and carnival are something that you enjoy - encourage the council to help the GPC find a new home. It can be done. Phoenix is re-opening Horse Lovers Park soon with a non-profit group to run it - per Bridle and Bit newspaper Dec. '10; Queen Creek is trying to form a non-profit group to help with Horseshoe Park, Pinal County is looking for rodeo equipment - Gilbert has everything that these communities are looking - a functional non profit and all the rodeo equipment - but doesn't realize what they have in the GPC - that's the sad part!
borninmesa posted at 11:17 pm on Thu, Dec 9, 2010.
Yup, just another end to a long line of things that have ended in Gilbert in the last 15 years..I'm tired of it. I grew up here, but this isn't where I wanna live anymore...
ghostrider posted at 6:53 pm on Thu, Dec 9, 2010.
So Sad, the end of an era