New facilities in the Utah State Fair horse arena are no welder's pipe dream.
Some 4,000 feet of new 21/2-inch pipe fencing, about 600 feet of 121/2-guage V-mesh fencing and a new announcers stand were installed in the arena where the last of three performances of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association show will be presented at 7 p.m. today.Judy Terry, fair coordinator, said the rodeo will go on regardless of the weather. Cowboys are used to competing in all kinds of weather, she said.
The rodeo, to which spectators are admitted free with purchase of a fair ticket, features15 cowboys per event, vying for points that could qualify them for the national rodeo finals in Las Vegas in December.
Spectators may be so busy watching cowboys, bucking broncs, brahma bulls and rodeo clown and barrelman Dale Woodard during the rodeo that they may not be aware of the new white fencing and other facilities that were installed in time for the rodeo.
The fencing was designed by Ward Winchester and installed by him and two welders' assistants, Jeff Grange and Bill Black. Previously, the arena was limited to less sturdy and more hazardous stock panels and steel bar construction. Recycled boiler pipe was used in the new project, saving about 50 percent in materials costs, said Winchester, an expert welder and maintenance foreman at the fair.
With the new arena material, animals can't get their legs caught between the bars, and the V-meshing provides more flexibility when animals or cowboys bounce against it.
Walkways near the announcers stand allow cowboys and rodeo officials access to riding areas and bucking shoots without having to walk through stock pens. The new facilities will provide for greater safety, said Stephen Sendorby, fair maintenance supervisor, who began work at the fair as a carpenter.
In front of the 3,300 arena seats is a concrete pad with room for at least 50 wheelchairs. Those in wheelchairs will have front-row seats for the rodeo and other shows.
Signey G. Baucom, president of the Utah State Fair Foundation, which earlier this week sponsored a fund-raising dinner before the fair opened, said the foundation hopes to raise funds to partially cover the arena and for projects to improve the fair.
"The horse industry is estimated by some economists to be the sixth largest industry in the state and needs a place to generate national shows. The industry (hasn't had) adequate facilities to do that," Baucom said.
He said horse and cattle industry shows "bring many people and millions of dollars to the state."
Zeb Bell, who is announcing for the fourth year at the rodeo, has said the new horse arena facilities are the "cleanest and finest" he's seen in his travels this year across the United States and Canada.