Gilbert will not renew its lease of the town’s Rodeo Park from Maricopa County, citing water-rentention costs at the former landfill site.
The 47-acre facility, located at 1777 S. Val Vista Drive, has been leased to Gilbert since 1982 and hosts two of the most popular events at the annual Gilbert Days, the rodeo and carnival.
“This could put Gilbert Days in jeopardy,” said Chelle Bullard, president of the non-profit Gilbert Promotional Corporation, which operates the Rodeo Park. “We want to see this tradition carry on. But we have been given a huge challenge here, so we need to take a step back, evaluate our options and go forward.”
The lease expires on Feb. 15. Town officials have vowed to assist the GPC in finding a site for a new rodeo grounds and with relocation.
County spokeswoman Cari Gerchick said that Feb. 15 is not a “hard and fast” termination date.
“If the town wanted to extend it for a short time, we would have some flexibility there,” Gerchick said. “But that would be a decision for the town, and it looks like they’ve already made that decision.”
Although the county is responsible for water retention and other upkeep, Gilbert would have to pay for temporary removal of the arena and other structures so the land could be graded and a drainage system put in place.
The ground on top of the former landfill constantly shifts and cannot be penetrated. That makes it not conducive to permanent structures, and drainage is difficult to control.
Still, Bullard said, the GPC has made “significant” upkeep to the grounds in the past year, including new bleachers and arena maintenance. She said the organization hoped to use some of the proceeds from this year’s rodeo, held last weekend, to construct a new arena.
“Those dreams have kind of been squelched,” Bullard said. “But we’ll press on. …
“I know the community loves the parade — it’s the biggest turnout for Gilbert Days — but it is a rodeo parade. It would be a lot different feeling if it wasn’t. I feel the rodeo and parade go hand-in-hand. It’s just not right to have one without the other.”
The Rodeo Park is booked for events through May 1, and Bullard said she hopes that the county will allow the GPC to honor those commitments if the town opts not to push back the termination date.
“That is a legal question we would have to take a look at,” Gerchick said. “I don’t know if we can legally enter into an agreement like that. We’ll have to see what we can do if that is presented before us.”
sconway posted at 12:53 pm on Fri, Dec 3, 2010.
During this year’s Gilbert Days Rodeo the Announcer continually asked the public to write letters to try to save the Rodeo Park.
Here is a letter with a different opinion.
Does the City of Gilbert and the GPC promote mental cruelty of a 10 year old girl?
After a grueling 3 days of watching her 10 year old daughter being constantly bullied and physically assaulted by one of the daughters of the Gilbert Promotional Corporation President, The mother of the 10 year old Gilbert Missy boiled over prompting an outburst about the mistreatment and verbal abuse of her daughter that ended with her telling the Gilbert rodeo queen she was responsible for the care of her court.
For that outburst the proud President of the GPC called for the ejection of the Mother from the Rodeo grounds. Minutes later this same proud President of the GPC stripped the 10 year old Gilbert Missy of her Crown and Belt Buckle (Items won in competition). The GPC President exclaimed “you will not leave here with those items”. This was the most outrageous torture of a child I have ever witnessed. She was a complete emotional wreck.
Even if the mom had done anything wrong, should the 10 year old be punished for the actions of her parent? The Gilbert Missy had done everything she was asked to do with a smile on her face all three days and for that effort she was rewarded by the President of the Gilbert Promotional Corporation Demanding she give up items she had worked so hard for.
If this abuse is what the city of Gilbert and the GPC advocate and tolerate than I say shut it down tear it down and live with the shame of the damage you have caused one 10 year old girl.
Alvin Conway
Rodeo Queen Dad