Renovations Of Springdale's Parsons Stadium Planned

Changes Could Attract More People, Money To Downtown

Courtesy Photo Core Architects Rodeo of the Ozarks official are working on a plan to renovate Parsons Stadium in Springdale. Part of the plan involves putting a roof over the arena.
Courtesy Photo Core Architects Rodeo of the Ozarks official are working on a plan to renovate Parsons Stadium in Springdale. Part of the plan involves putting a roof over the arena.

SPRINGDALE -- More amenities at Parsons Stadium could attract more people and money to downtown Springdale, supporters said.

Officials with the Rodeo of the Ozarks have renovation plans, which include paving the parking lots and roofing the stadium, said Rick Culver, executive director. The bleachers on the west and south sides of the stadium are already roofed, but those on the east side and the arena floor aren't.

Weather limits when events can take place at the stadium, but it wouldn't be an issue if the arena had a roof, said Tex Holt, Rodeo of the Ozarks board member. He referred to the plans as "a dream that could come true." Concerts and high school graduations are among the events that could be held at the arena, Holt said.

The cost of the renovation will be expensive, Holt said. The bleachers on the south end of the arena were built around 1994 and cost about $450,000. The bleachers on the west side were replaced in either 1998 or 1999 and cost about $950,000.

Culver said in May the board would need about $17 million, but now says the amount may be a bit lower.

The rodeo takes place in July, and having a roof over the stadium would mean more a comfortable temperature for those in the rodeo and for spectators, he said. A roof also would alleviate concern horses would slide on wet ground.

Officials plan to add a building to the north of the stadium to house meeting rooms, a museum, a commercial kitchen and a restaurant, Culver said. One of the meeting rooms would accommodate 550 people.

An architect's drawing of what the arena might look like shows a red, white and blue facade with a large expanse of windows across the front. Letters along the top read "Parsons Stadium" and, below that, "Rodeo Of The Ozarks Museum."

The development plan for the project also shows landscaping in the parking lot islands and a bridge over Spring Creek with a smaller parking lot on the north side. The land across the creek is owned by Northwest Technical Institute, but rodeo officials have an agreement with school officials to use the land for overflow parking.

Parsons Arena is at 1423 E. Emma Ave., just across the street from the Springdale Municipal Airport. Federal Aviation Administration approval on the height of the structure wouldn't be required because nothing would be taller than what is already there, Culver said. He didn't know how tall the roofs are, but said officials worked with the FAA years ago to get height approval.

The City Council approved the plan May 27, but rodeo officials still need to acquire the necessary building permits, Culver said.

Holt said it's a perfect time to move forward with the renovation because there's a lot happening on Emma Avenue with the revitalization of downtown Springdale. A couple of companies have either purchased or are interested in purchasing buildings on the street, and the city recently broke ground on a new park.

City officials support the rodeo board's efforts to renovate, said Mayor Doug Sprouse.

"An arena that can be used 12 months a year would be an anchor for the east end of Emma Avenue and be a huge benefit for our downtown revitalization efforts," he said.

Bill Rogers, vice president of communications and special projects for the Springdale Chamber of Commerce, also described the stadium as an "anchor," like The Jones Center and Shiloh Museum of Ozark History.

Officials will have to raise the money needed before renovation begins, Culver said. They plan to launch a fundraising campaign. He said they don't have a definite plan, but he believes fundraising will start in late summer or early fall.

Because of state law, the city cannot contribute money to the renovation, even though city officials support the effort, Sprouse said.

Completing the renovation in phases may be an option, Holt said. They will probably know more about costs and plans in six to seven months.

"We don't know exactly yet what we can and cannot do," he said.

NW News on 06/21/2014

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